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Mikhail Khodorkovsky has now been imprisoned for almost ten years. The first trial was
fabricated rather recklessly, and the second then dragged things into the realm of the
absurd, so there was then no doubt that he should be considered a political prisoner.
He has become a symbol for manipulated justice in Russia; he can almost be considered a personal
prisoner of Putin. I admire this man, and was able to see what he was like at the trial
I attended in Moscow where, during one day of the trial, I was able to observe him and
to see him behind this glass... or in this glass box, which is extraordinarily degrading
for a person to be put in a cage like this. I confess I am amazed by his courage, his
resilience and his forbearance and wish him health and strength in the future too. I would
like to sincerely congratulate him on his 50th birthday. I believe he has the potential
to be a Nelson Mandela of Russia, and indeed hope this is the case for Russia's sake.