Brussels, 24/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - Paying tribute to Mikhail Khodorkovsky on 22-23 October on the tenth anniversary of his arrest, MEPs recalled the problems of human rights in Russia. In Guy Vershofstadt's view (ALDE, Belgium) “Khodorkovsky's arrest ten years ago this week was really the start of the Kremlin's efforts to crush dissent and eliminate political rivals. Since then we have seen a steady and alarming decline in democratic standards and civil liberties in Russia.” “He was imprisoned for having a vision of a different Russia. Sadly, his country's leaders see the rule of law and human rights as threats to their rule, rather than building blocks of a democratic state”, said Laima Andrikine (EPP, Lithuania).
In Elmar Brok's view (EPP, Germany), “Khodorkovsky has become a stark reminder for a system that threatens those who speak out, and a symbol for a Russia that blocks its own future”. Graham Watson (ALDE, UK) underlined that “Russia's civil society is harassed and intimidated, corruption is rampant and political parties, including ALDE and sister parties, are silenced. Russia needs a change of direction. It needs men and women like Mikhail Khodorkovsky to take the country towards its true place in Europe.”
The MEPs called for Khodorkovsky's immediate release although he is only due to be released next August. (CG/transl.fl)