Russia’s Federal Security Service announced on Tuesday that they have initiated a criminal case against Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a prominent critic of the Kremlin who resides in exile. The charges against Khodorkovsky include allegations of establishing a “terrorist organization” and orchestrating plans to forcibly seize power.
Khodorkovsky, a former oil magnate who was once the wealthiest individual in Russia, spent a decade in a Siberian prison on charges of fraud that were widely criticized by Western nations as politically motivated. The Federal Security Service stated that the accusations stem from the activities of a group supported by Khodorkovsky, known as the Anti-War Committee, which opposes the conflict in Ukraine and has been outlawed in Russia.
At present, there has been no response from Khodorkovsky or his representatives regarding the allegations. Khodorkovsky gained prominence as one of the affluent businessmen who supported former Russian President Boris Yeltsin in the 1990s, leading to significant influence over the Russian economy. However, his fortunes changed as Vladimir Putin, Yeltsin’s successor, consolidated control over previously independent business figures within the Kremlin’s grasp.
Following his pardon in 2013, Khodorkovsky left Russia and has since lent support to various groups that oppose Putin’s leadership. Since 2022, he has emerged as a prominent voice among Russian exiles advocating for Kyiv against Moscow in the Ukraine conflict. Shortly after the outbreak of the war, Khodorkovsky was labeled a “foreign agent” by Russian authorities.
