The Khodorkovsky case is typical of the "oprichnina" - the system of oppression.

The Khodorkovsky case is typical of the "oprichnina" - the system of oppression.

I ask myself whether Russia is moving in the direction of democracy. I don't believe it is! Bit by bit, Russia is slipping back into an authoritarian empire.

In Russia only those who are loyal to the people in power can become wealthy.

In Russia there are special people who are permitted to do anything. They are the sacrificial priests of power. Anyone who is not a member of this group has no clout with the state.

In Russia one can be as pure as can be and still lose everything in a flash and end up in prison.

The bureaucracy has grown such powerful roots in Russia, and corruption is so widespread, that people from opposition have no interest in changing anything.