US slams Russia over conviction of Khodorkovsky
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The US has slammed Russia over conviction of jailed tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky and his associate, saying "selective application" of the law to them will have a "negative impact" on Moscow's reputation.
"This and similar cases have a negative impact on Russia's reputation for fulfilling its international human rights obligations and improving its investment climate," the secretary of state Hillary Clinton said on Monday.
Ms Clinton said the verdict "raises serious questions about selective prosecution — and about the rule of law being overshadowed by political considerations."
Khodorkovsky and co-accused Platon Lebedev, already in prison on previous fraud charges, were convicted on embezzlement and money laundering charges that the head of the now-defunct Yukos oil giant insists were politically motivated by his support for Russia's opposition.
"We are troubled by the allegations of serious due process violations, and what appears to be an abusive use of the legal system for improper ends," the White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement.
"The apparent selective application of the law to these individuals undermines Russia's reputation as a country committed to deepening the rule of law," he said.
Mr Gibbs said the Obama administration stands in solidarity with the many people in the Russian government, in the legal system, and in civil society who are committed to strengthening the rule of law and deepening the commitment to universal values enshrined in the Russian constitution.
"Russia's failure to keep this commitment to universal values, including the rule of law, impedes its own modernisation and ability to deepen its ties with the United States," he said.
"President Obama has spoken frequently with President Medvedev about this case and others as part of their ongoing conversation about President Medvedev's important campaign to strengthen the rule of law and modernize Russia's political and economic system," he said.
"We will continue to monitor closely the next stages in this case, including the fairness of the sentences and the review by higher courts during the appeals process," Gibbs said.
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