Mikhail Khodorkovsky

Mikhail Borisovich Khodorkovsky, born on June 26, 1963, is a prominent exiled Russian businessman and political activist currently residing in London. Once regarded as the wealthiest individual in Russia, with a fortune estimated at fifteen billion dollars, Khodorkovsky's rise to prominence began during the late 1980s amidst the Soviet Union's glasnost and perestroika. He founded Bank Menatep in 1989 and later gained control of Yukos, a major oil company that emerged from the privatization of state assets in the 1990s.

In 2001, Khodorkovsky established Open Russia, an organization aimed at fostering civil society and reform in Russia. However, his political ambitions led to his arrest in October 2003 on charges of fraud, which many believe were politically motivated. Following his arrest, the Russian government took aggressive actions against Yukos, resulting in a significant decline in the company's value and Khodorkovsky's wealth.

In May 2005, he was convicted and sentenced to nine years in prison, with his sentence extended in 2010 due to additional charges of embezzlement and money laundering. Despite international outcry regarding the fairness of his trials, Khodorkovsky was released in December 2013 after being pardoned by President Vladimir Putin, following lobbying efforts from former German officials.

After his release, Khodorkovsky relocated to Switzerland and later to London, where he continued his advocacy for political reform in Russia. He re-launched Open Russia in 2014, focusing on promoting free elections, media independence, and the protection of journalists. His efforts have earned him recognition as a leading critic of the Kremlin in exile, and he remains a significant figure in the discourse surrounding Russian civil society.