WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today issued the following statement regarding the verdict in the trial of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev:

“The disturbing verdict in the trial of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev reveals the Russian judiciary is not independent.  Recently on the floor of the U.S. Senate, I highlighted the gravity of the problems with this trial in Russia and how it undermines the rule of law there.  I concluded my remarks by saying that I hoped Russia would choose the right path and somehow justice would prevail in this case.  Sadly, it has not and yesterday the Russian court issued a spurious guilty verdict.

“Russian authorities again have demonstrated that they can act above the law at will.  The second trial, just as the first, has been unfair and politically motivated.  This is not only a sad day for Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Platon Lebedev, and their families, but also for all those that seek a more open Russia based on the rule of law.”

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