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Freed Russian Oligarch Leaves Germany for Switzerland With Family Freed Russian Oligarch Leaves Germany for Switzerland With Family
(about 9 hours later)
BERLIN — Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky, the former oil tycoon recently freed after a decade in prison in Russia, has left Berlin and arrived by train in Switzerland, where he and his wife will oversee their teenage sons’ return to school, according to a statement from Mr. Khodorkovsky’s aides, who called the trip “a family matter.”BERLIN — Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky, the former oil tycoon recently freed after a decade in prison in Russia, has left Berlin and arrived by train in Switzerland, where he and his wife will oversee their teenage sons’ return to school, according to a statement from Mr. Khodorkovsky’s aides, who called the trip “a family matter.”
Switzerland granted Mr. Khodorkovsky a three-month visa last Monday, permitting him to travel anywhere in the 26 countries that are part of the Schengen agreement allowing visa-free travel across much of Europe, although not to Britain.Switzerland granted Mr. Khodorkovsky a three-month visa last Monday, permitting him to travel anywhere in the 26 countries that are part of the Schengen agreement allowing visa-free travel across much of Europe, although not to Britain.
Before he was imprisoned for fraud and tax evasion, Mr. Khodorkovsky, 50, was the richest man in Russia, and the backer of a political challenge to President Vladimir V. Putin. He was released Dec. 20, about eight months ahead of schedule, after a surprise act of clemency by Mr. Putin, and arrived in Berlin just 36 hours later. Before he was imprisoned for fraud and tax evasion, Mr. Khodorkovsky, 50, was the richest man in Russia, and the backer of a political challenge to President Vladimir V. Putin. He was released Dec. 20, about eight months ahead of schedule, after a surprise act of clemency by Mr. Putin, and arrived in Berlin just hours later.
Mr. Khodorkovsky said he would not engage in day-to-day politics, nor would he sue to try to recover his former stake in Yukos, the giant oil company that later went bankrupt. It is unclear how much money Mr. Khodorkovsky still has available, or whether any funds are held in Swiss banks. He had business ties to Switzerland, and when Russian officials moved to seize the company’s overseas deposits after his arrest, the Swiss government resisted.Mr. Khodorkovsky said he would not engage in day-to-day politics, nor would he sue to try to recover his former stake in Yukos, the giant oil company that later went bankrupt. It is unclear how much money Mr. Khodorkovsky still has available, or whether any funds are held in Swiss banks. He had business ties to Switzerland, and when Russian officials moved to seize the company’s overseas deposits after his arrest, the Swiss government resisted.
The statement from Mr. Khodorkovsky’s aides, posted on his website, said he has “not yet made any plans about permanent residency in Switzerland or anywhere else.” It said he and his family “are thankful to Switzerland,” for recognizing the injustice of his incarceration and, now, for granting the family quiet time together.The statement from Mr. Khodorkovsky’s aides, posted on his website, said he has “not yet made any plans about permanent residency in Switzerland or anywhere else.” It said he and his family “are thankful to Switzerland,” for recognizing the injustice of his incarceration and, now, for granting the family quiet time together.
Mr. Khodorkovsky said one of the hardest things about prison was the separation from his family, but he emphasized that he was much more fortunate than 90 percent of the inmates he met, who he said had “nowhere to go,” even if released.Mr. Khodorkovsky said one of the hardest things about prison was the separation from his family, but he emphasized that he was much more fortunate than 90 percent of the inmates he met, who he said had “nowhere to go,” even if released.
He has vowed to work to improve the lot of prisoners in Russia. He said conditions were no longer those of the Soviet gulag, but life inside remained harsh.He has vowed to work to improve the lot of prisoners in Russia. He said conditions were no longer those of the Soviet gulag, but life inside remained harsh.
Two members of the punk band Pussy Riot, who were given clemency and released from prison a few days after Mr. Khodorkovsky as Mr. Putin prepares for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, next month, have also said they want to campaign for better prison conditions in Russia.Two members of the punk band Pussy Riot, who were given clemency and released from prison a few days after Mr. Khodorkovsky as Mr. Putin prepares for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, next month, have also said they want to campaign for better prison conditions in Russia.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

Correction: January 6, 2014

Because of an editing error, an earlier version of this article misstated the date of Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky’s arrival in Berlin. He was released Dec. 20 and arrived in Berlin the same day, not 36 hours later.