Statements of Support (2003-2013) / Kramer, David

“I think Khodorkovsky has handled his situation with tremendous grace and dignity. He is a man who was at the top of his game a decade ago – Russia’s richest man – someone who decided it was time to support civil society, even venture into some opposition activities, and he clearly crossed wires with President Putin and paid a dear price for that.

I think the fact that the European Parliament has nominated him for the Sakharov Prize speaks very highly of his image these days, at least outside of Russia. (…) I think that means it is incumbent upon all of us who have the ability to do so to bring more attention to his situation, to shed light on the fact that he has been languishing in prison for now just about a decade, has faced two cases that most people have viewed as fabricated and spurious. (…) I think it is important now, not only for the United States, but for European nations and Russians themselves, to make sure that they do everything they can to call for justice to be done and for these, I would argue, manipulated charges and convictions to be dropped”

David Kramer, President of the Freedom House, speaking in an interview as part of the Decade of Injustice video series to mark the 10th anniversary of Khodorkovsky’s arrest, September 27, 2013