Yesterday, well respected lawyer Yuri Schmidt, celebrated his 75th birthday. Thanks to Schmidt, defendants whose cases contain sensitive state secrets are now able to choose their own lawyer, previously only being able to select from lawyers who had pre-approved “access” to such cases. In April 2004, Mr. Schmidt joined political prisoner Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s legal team. Why Khodorkovsky? “My cases find me”- he explains.

Despite serious surgery, radiation and chemotherapy (which is ongoing) Schmidt continues to work, performing brilliantly in court, giving endless interviews and travelling regularly to visit Khodorkovsky in Karelia. He says: “At first I could not envision how much the authorities hated Khodorkovsky. And to what extent he (Khodorkovsky) is a victim of personal attacks from vile people. The more I get to know Mikhail Borisovich (Khodorkovsky), the more I admire his beauty and dignity. I told him that it’s not like me to leave with an unfulfilled sense of duty, and thanked him for “holding” me here. He is indeed “holding” me. Despite everything, I continue as I believe in justice…”

“Novaya Gazeta”, Lydia Grafova