During today’s EU-Russia Summit held in St. Petersburg, President Vladimir Putin sought to defend Russia’s human rights record, claiming that his government held no political prisoners and dismissing criticism of the increased fines set for unsanctioned protests.

Responding to a reporter’s question concerning a leaflet being distributed by anonymous opposition activists suggesting that he should be put in jail and swap places with Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Putin said the following:

“Regarding the so-called ‘political prisoners.’ Wherever I go, I’m asked the same question, about the fate of Mr. Khodorkovsky. As you know, the European Court of Human Rights confirmed that there were no political motives in Khodorkovsky’s case and verdict.”

However, Vadim Klyuvgant, a lawyer for Khodorkovsky, has pointed out that Mr. Putin has his facts wrong.

The decision by the European Court of Human Rights that President Putin refers to only addressed his 2003 arrest and subsequent treatment in detention, Mr. Klyuvgant says.  The court did not examine the verdict or main substance of Khodorkovsky’s first trial, and in fact found that Russia had violated many of his rights provided under the European Convention of Human Rights. Moreover, the European Court’s ruling last year did not examine Khodorkovsky’s second trial, from 2009 to 2011, after which Amnesty International declared Khodorkovsky to be a prisoner of conscience.

“The rhetoric and degree of sincerity at the top do not change – there is no truth to it,” Mr. Klyuvgant told Interfax.