German Human Rights Commissioner Markus Loening says that Russia could send a clear political signal by issuing a pardon and early release to Russian political prisoner Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

Speaking in a video interview with Khodorkovsky.com as part of the Decade of Injustice series, Loening stated: “there is absolutely no doubt that the proceedings [against Khodorovsky and Lebedev] were legally questionable.”

“Overall, I am greatly concerned about the situation in Russia, the rule of law, the growing repression of people who stand up for their rights and people who are battling for human rights, democracy, and freedom in Russia,” Loening said. “Mikhail Khodorkovsky will always be a symbol for this as someone who said: ‘I will not bow to the powers that be, but I stand for causes I want to support.'”

Watch the full interview with Loening here, and many other interviews with supporters and public figures here.