Russian tycoon’s staff liken jail conditions to torture

The Russian tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky continues to press for better treatment for his business partner Platon Lebedev in Moscow where both are imprisoned. Lebedev is reported to have been put in very cold solitary confinement as punishment for insulting warders. Khodorkovsky’s press spokeswoman Maria Ordzonikidze said:

“There is a limit to what a man can endure. (That) means all the humiliations, all the violations of the laws which were made by the authorities. This has been enough.” Lebedev’s health is said to be poor. Khodorkovsky is on a hunger strike to protest for better medical attention. The two men were convicted in May of fraud and tax evasion. Khodorkovsky’s supporters say he was the victim of a Kremlin-inspired campaign to punish him for his political ambitions. The Kremlin has denied any involvement in the case.

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