Newsletters / Mikhail Khodorkovsky: Statement about the initiation of criminal proceedings on charges of terrorism and the seizure of power against the Anti-War Committee and its members
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
The initiation of criminal proceedings on charges of terrorism and the seizure of power against the Anti-War Committee and its members is the Kremlin’s reaction to the establishment, under the auspices of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), of a platform for engagement with the Russian anti-war democratic opposition.
Cooperation with the Parliamentary Assembly envisions the creation of a discussion and coordination platform focused primarily on humanitarian issues. However, this initiative has been met with hostility by the Russian authorities and by Vladimir Putin personally, who perceive it as a potential source of alternative legitimacy—something the Kremlin has long lost.
We, members of the Russian Anti-War Committee categorically reject all accusations of financing or inciting terrorism, as well as allegations of recruiting for armed groups, as stated by Russia’s political police, the FSB. Our Committee’s activities are strictly within the framework of lawful, public civic engagement and humanitarian initiatives.
The Anti-War Committee of Russia was established in February 2022 to oppose the unjust war launched by Vladimir Putin against Ukraine. We unite the efforts of anti-war Russians, develop a shared public stance condemning the war, and work to mitigate the consequences of Putin’s aggression.
This war was not initiated by the people of Russia, but by a dictator who has lost touch with reality and built his legitimacy on aggression. It is our civic duty to do everything in our power to end this war and ensure that Russia never again poses a threat to its own citizens or its neighbours.
In the media
The Financial Times: Russia accuses Mikhail Khodorkovsky of plotting coup
Moscow’s intelligence service launches fresh criminal case against former Yukos oil magnate and 22 other dissidents in exile
The Financial Times reported that Russia’s FSB opened a new criminal case against Mikhail Khodorkovsky and 22 other exiled opposition figures, accusing them of plotting to overthrow Vladimir Putin’s regime and supporting Ukrainian armed units. Khodorkovsky called the allegations “absurd,” telling the FT they were part of the Kremlin’s efforts to intimidate its opponents and suppress anti-war democratic representation abroad. The article describes the charges as the latest stage in Moscow’s crackdown on dissidents and highlighted Khodorkovsky’s warning that international legitimacy for the Russian opposition poses “a very important political factor” in a future transition of power.
The Independent: Russia accuses exiled opponents of plot to violently seize power
The FSB says it’s investigating Mikhail Khodorkovsky and more than 20 other exiled Russian dissidents
The Independent reported that the FSB accused Khodorkovsky of forming a “terrorist organisation” and funding Ukrainian paramilitaries. Khodorkovsky dismissed the allegations as “lies,” saying they show the Kremlin views European engagement with exiled opposition as “a major problem.” The article frames him as a long-time critic of Putin and key anti-war voice in exile.
DW: Russia: Kremlin goes after exiled critic Khodorkovsky
Russia’s domestic intelligence agency says that tycoon and Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s ties to an anti-war group amount to a plot to seize power. Twenty other prominent dissidents are also being investigated.
DW reported that the FSB accused Khodorkovsky of creating a “terrorist organization” and plotting to seize power. He rejected the allegations as “lies,” saying they show the Kremlin fears growing cooperation between European institutions and exiled Russian opposition figures.
Daily Express: Panic in Russia as paranoid Putin accuses exiles of plotting revolution to overthrow him
The group includes notable dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza, former world chess champion Garry Kasparov and ex-prime minister Mikhail Kasyanov.
The Daily Express reported that Russia’s FSB launched a criminal investigation against Mikhail Khodorkovsky and other exiled Kremlin critics, accusing them of planning a coup. The article quoted Khodorkovsky rejecting the claims as “absolutely false” and warning that Putin sees the unity of exiled opponents as “the greatest danger for his regime.”
The Moscow Times: Russia Charges Khodorkovsky, Other Exiled Dissidents With ‘Terrorism’
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) on Tuesday announced criminal charges against prominent exiled anti-war figures, including former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, accusing them of forming a “terrorist” group and plotting to overthrow the Russian government.
The New York Times: Russia Steps Up Assault on Antiwar Exiles, Accusing Them of Terrorism
An intelligence agency’s sweeping investigation shows that Moscow is closely following the anti-Kremlin activities of Russians abroad.
Russia’s main intelligence agency on Tuesday announced a sweeping terrorism investigation into nearly two dozen antiwar Russians, escalating the Kremlin’s onslaught against exiled critics of the invasion of Ukraine.
The agency, the Federal Security Service, or F.S.B., said that it suspected a group called the Russian Antiwar Committee of plotting to overthrow the government. The committee, which was founded by the anti-Kremlin tycoon Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky, includes exiled politicians, law professors and other prominent professionals.
Reuters: Russia accuses Khodorkovsky and other exiled Kremlin critics of conspiring to seize power
Reuters reported that Russia’s FSB opened a criminal case against Mikhail Khodorkovsky and other exiled opposition figures, accusing them of forming a “terrorist organisation” and plotting to seize power. The report noted that the FSB described the group as “Khodorkovsky and his accomplices” but included Khodorkovsky’s detailed response, rejecting the accusations as “absolutely false” and highlighting that the Antiwar Committee’s work is “public, peaceful and humanitarian.” He said the initiative by the Council of Europe to engage with exiled Russian democratic forces “represents the greatest danger for Putin and his regime.”