Written question asked by Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 6 May 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 8 May 2009. It was answered by David Miliband (Labour) on Thursday, 21 May 2009 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent representations his Department has made to the Russian Government on the trial of Mr. Mikhail Khodorkovsky; and if he will make a statement;

Answer: We regularly raise our concerns regarding the case of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, bilaterally and through the EU. The issue was raised bilaterally at the UK/Russia human rights consultations in January in Moscow. Our concerns include the arbitrary application of the rule of law, due process and fair treatment of Khodorkovsky and others who have been arrested or prosecuted in the Yukos Affair, access to lawyers and medical care, conditions of detention and the alleged harassment of defence teams and witnesses.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister did not specifically raise Mr. Khodorkovsky's situation during his bilateral with President Medvedev at the G20 summit. However, during their bilateral the Prime Minister and President Medvedev agreed that both governments should continue to work together to resolve the areas on which the UK and Russia differ. The Government will continue to raise specific human rights cases, not only through the bilateral human rights consultations.The UK is participating in trial monitoring with EU partners and the US. We will continue to follow developments in Mr. Khodorkovsky's case.

Secondary information