This is a Significant event!
Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, has signed the decree pardoning tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a prominent Kremlin critic, who has spent more than a decade behind bars for embezzlement, fraud and tax evasion.
"Guided by humanitarian principles, I decree that Mikhail Borisovich Khodorkovsky... should be pardoned and freed from any further punishment in the form of imprisonment. This decree comes into force from the day of its signing," said the decree signed by Putin and published by the Kremlin.
The Russian president had revealed his decision to pardon Khodorkovsky during his annual press conference on Thursday, saying the former head of oil giant Yukos had requested a pardon because his mother was ill.
In comments broadcast on state television, Putin said it was the first time his foe had made such a request.Though "Guided by humanitarian principles" sounds funny, I'm glad Khodorkovsky is free now
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