Below is the translation of Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s comment on Vladimir Putin’s rejection of calls for the international tribunal on the downing of the Boeing (MH 17) from his personal Facebook page.

“Putin has spoken out against the international tribunal on the downing of the Boeing (MH 17). So what will happen now? The Dutch Prime Minister will urgently call up the heads of Malaysia, Australia, Belgium and Ukraine, quote Putin’s words and say, “Well, do you understand? He’s against it! Maybe we should back off before it’s too late? ” Given that this option is obviously impossible, one can assume that Vladimir Putin has sacrificed once again his international reputation for self-aggrandising  domestic consumption.

After all, the state TV channels need to start preparing their domestic audience for the publication in October of the international experts’ report.

No doubt, the fact that no one has asked for the views of Russian’s leader at any stage of the investigation will likely be strongly emphasised in the course of what will be a mega media campaign.

And why is this? Not because of any attitude towards Russia itself but rather the fact that everyone is simply tired of the authorities’ endless lies.”