Marina Filippovna Khodorkovskaya, Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s mother, celebrates her birthday today. Khodorkovsky’s Russian Press Centre has published a birthday greeting to her HERE, which can be read in English below:

“Dear Marina Philippovna,

Happy Birthday.

During these last 10 years, judges that are newscasters in black robes voiced many of the court’s decisions, which were not their own. Repeating investigators and glancing up, they had been adding generously to the term; listening to the prosecutors and glancing up, they have been reducing it by a little.

The authorities have never inspired a hope, but neither were they able to take it away. There is less than a year before the release date, but no one knows how to take this “less than a year.”

So once again, you have to deal with the unknown. We wish you strength and health. Let those on whom a lot depends, find the strength to resist weakness. Let those on whom a little depends, discover a tendency towards lawful procedures.

In the end, let the outcome be that your next Birthday will be a celebration for ALL members of the family, in person.

Once more – Happy Birthday.

The Press Centre