Mikhail Khodorkovsky represented “a bright promise” for Russia before his arrest, says U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and supporters should continue to speak out about his case and the rights situation in Russia.

Speaking in an interview taped earlier this summer as part of the Decade of Injustice video series, Sen. Wicker says that he has followed the Khodorkovsky case almost from its inception.

“I view it with unhappiness toward the Russian regime and actually a great deal of regret and sadness at what has happened to a bright promise that we felt the Russian people had,” he said.

Commenting on the hopes that people had for reform and basic freedoms in Russia following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Sen. Wicker says that he is saddened by the departure from rule of law in Russia, and encourages people to speak out on rights.

“To the extent that we can continue to speak out about it, and shine the light of day on it, gives us an opportunity to say that the pendulum can swing back,” Sen. Wicker said.  “We’ve seen this in other locations, places that I thought would never be free; places I thought where they would never have basic freedoms. We have that now, and that can return to Russia if we are steadfast and continue to speak out.”

Full video interview below: