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Topics: Ukraine, Russia, World News, Vladimir Putin
Shola Lee
Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who was once Russia's richest man, has said that other oligarchs need to speak up against Vladimir Putin.
Khodorkovsky, who has been a vocal critic of the Kremlin, was arrested in 2003 and imprisoned for 10 years on charges of fraud and tax evasion, which he claims were politically motivated.
His oil company was taken over by the Russian state, and he went into self-exile following his release.
Khodorkovsky's comments come as Putin's invasion of Ukraine continues, with millions of refugees having fled the country.
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Now, in an interview with The Washington Post, Khodorkovsky has urged other oligarchs to speak out – indirectly referring to Mikhail Fridman and Pyotr Aven of Alfa Bank, who left Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, as well as Anatoly Chubais, who served as Putin's international envoy until stepping down and also leaving the country.
"Public figures cannot leave quietly and then sit quietly. If you have left, then you should publicly dissociate yourself or we should be forced to suspect that you are acting on [the Kremlin’s] behalf," he said.
"You should step up to the microphone and say that Putin is a war criminal and that what he is doing is a crime, that the war against Ukraine is a crime. Say this, and then we’ll understand that Putin doesn’t have a hold over you."
Khodorkovsky went on to say that if any of the Russian billionaires impacted by the recent spate of sanctions from Western countries want them to be lifted, they need to show their independence from Putin.
Khodorkovsky also said that the idea that Putin could arrest employees left behind in Russia was no more than 'cover'.
"This is ridiculous to even hear. It means Putin has some kind of hold over you.
"And if there is a hold on you, then it means your resources are dangerous during the war."
Khodorkovsky went on to say that he believed tycoons could direct their associates to make payments, and that these individuals could seek to influence Europeans policy makers on Putin's behalf.
Ultimately, Khodorkovsky said that other oligarchs should speak out, even if it means putting their own lives in danger.
"This is a real war. People are dying every day", he said.
"The regime for which you worked is killing people. Your personal fate compared to this does not mean so much. Take the risk."
He added that the oligarchs have a responsibility for not doing more 'to stop the war criminal'.
Khodorkovsky's comments will likely strike a nerve among other Russian oligarchs who have been hit hard by sanctions in recent weeks.
The sanctions were an effort to 'isolate Putin and those around him', as per the gov.uk website.
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