The RF Justice Ministry has stated that it is unable to comply with an ECHR judgment since it does not have my bank details. Given the current level of surveillance that regime opponents are subjected to it sounds almost funny.

Indeed, the RF has yet to honor its obligations. However I am not referring to the payment of said damages. After all the ECHR decision refers to a number of violations of provisions in the European Convention on Human Rights, including the right to a fair trial and protection of property.

In particular, the ECHR has indicated the need to reverse the judgment to collect RUR 17 billion from Platon Lebedev and me. However that unlawful judgment remains in force, both preventing Lebedev from obtaining a passport for foreign travel and me from returning to Russia.

It is to be reminded that the above is not the only ECHR decision that the RF continues to ignore. The RF has failed to review the case of Alexei Pichugin who has been sentenced to life in prison. Yesterday marked 11 years since his detention. Back in 2012, the ECHR required the RF to review his case due to a violation of the right to a fair trial. However the RF Supreme Court has been refusing to comply with the international court’s decision.

Against this background, the statement regarding damages made by Deputy Justice Minister Matyushkin is yet another manifestation of hypocrisy and reluctance to comply with the court’s decision to the extent it affects the ruling bureaucracy’s actual interests.

Sincerely,
Mikhail Khodorkovsky