Media

Russia’s Former Prime Minister on the Khodorkovsky Case Says: “They Need to Stop This Madness”

July 12, 2013
The Russian service of ‘Voice of America’ conducted an interview with Mikhail Kasyanov, the former Prime Minister of Russia, after meeting him at the celebration of the 50th Birthday of Mikhail Khodorkovsky in New York, where Kasyanov was an honoured guest.

The ex Prime Minister was dismissed from office in 2004 by President Vladimir Putin, shortly before the presidential elections. Now he is a co-chair of the Republican Party of Russia – the People’s Freedom Party.

The ‘Voice of America’ asked the politician a variety of questions about his past and his future, about the future of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and the future of Russia.

The 50th Birthday Party of Mikhail Khodorkovsky in New York (from left to right): Mikhail Kasyanov, Pavel Khodorkovsky, politician Vladimir Kara-Murza, director of the Institute of Modern Russia Lidia Dukhovich
Below is an excerpt of the interview:
 
Correspondent: Mikhail Mikhailovich, do you believe that Mikhail Khodorkovsky will be released in 2014?
 
M.K.: I think yes. I think that the current leaders of the country are still rational. In any case, I want to believe in it. They need to stop this madness, which has lasted for 11 years already, and release an innocent man.
 
Correspondent: And if Khodorkovsky got out of prison, do you think he would be involved in any political activities?
 
M.K.: I believe that Khodorkovsky would not engage in politics, but would be involved in civic activities. The same type of activity he was doing in the years prior to his arrest. This means supporting organisations like Open Russia – the school of public policy, educating young people and encouraging them to be engaged in political and civic activities.

In other words, he will be working on bringing together people who care about what is happening in Russia.  This may prove even more important than participation in political party activities – helping people to understand the civic aspects of life and to be proactive. After all, this would be helping to develop the skills of the voters who actually want to change the situation in the country.

Correspondent: Do you expect that you will co-operate with Khodorkovsky in any political or civic activities?

M.K.: If we did, it would be the most positive kind. The Republican Party of Russia deal directly with policies, and now, thanks to the decision of the European Court, we have the right to participate in the elections. This Fall, we will begin to participate in the regional elections. Of course it is very important for us to know how civil society and young people are feeling, what their aspirations are. As soon as Khodorkovsky is released we will sit down and discuss it together.

Read the interview in full on The Voice of America website.