Khodorkovsky, Lebedev unlikely to be released under amnesty for economic crimes – source

Mikhail Khodorkovsky file photo

(Interfax – MOSCOW, May 15, 2013) Former YUKOS Head Mikhail Khodorkovsky and former Menatep Board Chairman Platon Lebedev are unlikely to be released under amnesty for economic crimes initiated by business ombudsman Boris Titov because the two were sentenced under articles, which are included in the draft being prepared to be submitted to the Russian State Duma.

“There will be no lists with surnames of businessmen who could be pardoned. Certain Criminal Code articles are proposed, for which amnesty could be declared,” a representative of the expert council under the Russian presidential commissioner on businessmen’s rights told Interfax on Wednesday.

As to Khodorkovsky and Lebedev, the representative said that the two had been convicted under a number of articles to which amnesty did not apply.

The preliminary Criminal Code articles offered for amnesty are fraud, embezzlement or misapplication, inflicting property damage by fraud or trust abuse, purchasing or selling property obtained illegally, legalizing and self-legalizing, violating authors’, inventors’ and patent rights, evasion of taxes or fees, illegal business or bank activities and commercial bribery.

According to the expert council’s information, as of January 1, 2012, a total of 110,924 people were convicted under these articles. As of March 31, 2012, 12,485 people were in detention facilities under these articles.

People, who committed crimes against a person, state authorities, peace and humanity as well as people who have been pardoned or amnestied and who committed a crime again, can not be released.

Comment