As Mikhail Khodorkovsky celebrates his 49th birthday on June 26, a number of opposition leaders and other public figures in Russia have sent their birthday wishes via video, and collectively urged that Khodorkovsky be able to spend his next birthday in freedom.

His former business partner, Platon Lebedev, sent his heartfelt and sincere birthday wishes to Khodorkovsky in a message from the colony in Velsk via his legal team.  He also wished Khodorkovsky’s parents, Marina and Boris, good health, endurance and strength.

Here in this video (Russian), the former Soviet dissident Vladimir Bukovsky congratulates Mikhail Khodorkovsky and says – “In my opinion there is no reason to be sad. It is a must to celebrate birthday and enjoy life.”

Maxim Valetsky, entrepreneur and Khodorkovsky’s colleague at Komsomol (The Communist Union of Youth) during their University time sends his message – “As far as I understand, in one year is your 50th birthday. I hope that we will celebrate it together, in freedom, and this is such a blatant way to invite myself to the anniversary. Mikhail, Happy Birthday!”

Wishes from Vladimir Pereverzin, YUKOS’ former deputy director of its external debt division – “Dear Mikhail Borisovich! Your Birthday is not only your celebration. It has become a special event for many people, with whom you are not acquainted personally. Your faith, inseparably bound with the faith of Russia is important for these people. We will celebrate today and you will be with us in our thoughts, for being imprisoned, you remain a free man.”

Mikhail Prokhorov, Russian businessman – “I would wish him patience and not to lose his faith. He is, unquestionably, a courageous man and I hope that he has enough patience and faith.”

Grigory Yavlinsky, Russian economist and politician wishes Mikhail Khodorkovsky to stay healthy and to take care – “I sincerely wish that hope and faith would not leave you!”

Alexander Temerko, former member of YUKOS’ board of directors and administration, congratulates Mikhail Khodorkovsky on his birthday – “All this is not for nothing.”

And finally, writing in a letter, a Russian politician and executive Anatoly Chubais writes, “My wishes for your birthday – sincerely and from the heart”