Moscow
Jailed oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky reversed his long-standing criticism of Russia’s president this week in an article in the weekly Vedomosti. Writing from prison, Khodorkovsky said that Vladimir Putin was, if not a true democrat, at least more liberal than most Russians. “Regardless of whether we like Vladimir Putin or not, it is time to realize that the head of state is not just a person,” he said. “We have to reject senseless attempts to undermine the president.” Analysts said the commentary appeared to be an attempt to curry favor with Putin ahead of Khodorkovsky’s trial. The tycoon was arrested for alleged tax evasion in October, after he gave money to a political party that opposed the president.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
How the FCC’s ‘equal time’ rule worksIn the Spotlight The law is at the heart of the Colbert-CBS conflict
-
What is the endgame in the DHS shutdown?Today’s Big Question Democrats want to rein in ICE’s immigration crackdown
-
‘Poor time management isn’t just an inconvenience’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
