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Russian oil tycoon`s case to be presented to UN
London, Nov 08: A lawyer for detained Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky said today he would take the case to the United Nations `within weeks`.
London, Nov 08: A lawyer for detained Russian oil
tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky said today he would take the case
to the United Nations "within weeks".
"Because Khodorkovsky is a political prisoner, we intend to take the case not only to international courts
but also to the UN working group on arbitrary detention,"
Robert Amsterdam said in an interview.
"This case has all the elements of human rights violations, including the violation of the European Convention of Human Rights, to which Russia is the signatory," Amsterdam said.
Khodorkovsky, the founder of the embattled Yukos oil giant, was arrested at gunpoint on October 25, charged with seven counts of fraud, tax evasion and embezzlement, and remanded in custody while prosecutors continue their investigation.
Most analysts said Khodorkovsky's arrest and the months-long investigation into Yukos were politically motivated because the tycoon openly funded opposition parties ahead of parliamentary elections due in December.
The arrest also raised concerns in Europe and the US about Kremlin interference in business which could affect foreign investment at a time when Moscow is seeking increased economic cooperation with the European Union.
Bureau Report
"This case has all the elements of human rights violations, including the violation of the European Convention of Human Rights, to which Russia is the signatory," Amsterdam said.
Khodorkovsky, the founder of the embattled Yukos oil giant, was arrested at gunpoint on October 25, charged with seven counts of fraud, tax evasion and embezzlement, and remanded in custody while prosecutors continue their investigation.
Most analysts said Khodorkovsky's arrest and the months-long investigation into Yukos were politically motivated because the tycoon openly funded opposition parties ahead of parliamentary elections due in December.
The arrest also raised concerns in Europe and the US about Kremlin interference in business which could affect foreign investment at a time when Moscow is seeking increased economic cooperation with the European Union.
Bureau Report