Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has refused to pardon former Yukos boss Mikhail Khodorkovsky because he has not asked for clemency according to Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

Medvedev’s persists in refusing Khodorkovsky’s pardon despite advice from his Human Rights Council which has strongly urged him to consider a pardon on the grounds that Khodorkovsky was not granted a fair trial.

Khodorkovsky has refused to ask for clemency because appeals for clemency are usually perceived as an admission of guilt.

The President’s Human Rights Council has stated that it will revisit the issue of Khodorkovsky’s pardon with Medvedev when they meet with him on April 28th.