Moscow: Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on Tuesday the initiation of a criminal investigation against Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former oil magnate and outspoken critic of the Kremlin, currently living in exile. The charges accuse Khodorkovsky of creating a "terrorist organization" and plotting to violently seize power, targeting his involvement with the Anti-War Committee a group opposing Russia's military campaign in Ukraine, now banned within the country.
Khodorkovsky, once Russia's wealthiest individual, rose to prominence in the 1990s as a supporter of then-President Boris Yeltsin, amassing considerable influence over the Russian economy. His fortunes declined under Vladimir Putin, leading to a 10-year imprisonment on fraud charges widely viewed by Western observers as politically motivated. He was pardoned in 2013 and left Russia, subsequently aligning with opposition movements critical of the Kremlin and expressing support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war.
The Anti-War Committee, backed by Khodorkovsky, has drawn the Russian government's ire due to its vocal opposition to the Ukraine conflict. By launching this new criminal case, the authorities aim to suppress dissent and intimidate exiled critics who continue to challenge the Kremlin's policies abroad.
Neither Khodorkovsky nor his representatives have responded to the latest allegations. Since 2022, he has emerged as a key figure among Russian exiles supporting Kyiv, having been labeled a "foreign agent" by Russian authorities shortly after the conflict escalated.
This legal action forms part of a broader pattern of Moscow extending its reach beyond national borders to target opposition figures, reflecting the Kremlin's ongoing strategy to silence critics and maintain control over the political narrative at home and internationally. Human rights organizations and foreign governments continue to monitor the situation, voicing concern over Russia's growing efforts to criminalize dissent.