Statements of Support (2003-2013) / Davey, Ed MP

“It’s increasingly clear that the Khodorkovsky trial looks like a show trial, going back to the bad old ways of the former Soviet Union. That is not good for Russia’s long-term interests. I think many of us had really hoped that President Medvedev would make a real difference, and frankly I think this is a key test for him and his Government about whether or not they are serious about democratic reform, and legal reform. If we don’t see serious legal reform in Russia, the ability of British companies and western companies in general to be able to do business in Russia, to invest in Russia, and to work in partnership with both the Russian Government and Russian firms will be under serious question. So there are many things at stake here – political issues and economic issues – and I would really hope the Russian Government would understand that”

Ed Davey MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary, September 2009