Putin says will soon pardon jailed oil tycoon KhodorkovskyDecember 19, 2013 - 17:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, Dec 19 he would soon pardon jailed oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who still has eight months left to serve of a more than 10-year jail sentence and is see by Kremlin opponents as a political prisoner, according to Reuters. "He has been in jail already more than ten years, this is a serious punishment," Putin told reporters after an annual news conference, saying that the former Yukos oil company chief had asked him for a pardon. "He cites humanitarian reasons. His mother is ill," Putin said. "I decided that with these circumstances in mind, it is necessary to take a decision, and in the near future a decree pardoning him will be signed." Khodorkovsky's main lawyer, Vadim Klyuvgant, denied his client had asked for a pardon but said that was not required. "Let them pardon him ... The president has the full right to do this at any moment," Klyuvgant told Reuters. Once Russia's richest man, Khordorkovsky was arrested in 2003 after falling out with Putin and has been convicted of crimes including fraud, theft and money laundering in two trials that have harmed Putin's image in the West. Kremlin critics say Khodorkovsky, 50, is the victim of a campaign to punish him for perceived political challenges to Putin, keep other wealthy tycoons in line and tighten the state's grip over lucrative oil revenues. Khodorkovsky mother, Marina, said she had just heard the reports and was unaware of a request for a pardon. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |