Russia, Riches, and the Law

Russia's once richest oligarch is rotting away in a Siberian prison.Â Mikhail Khodorkovsky made billions playing fastball with Russian oil and gas in the post-Soviet 1990s, but lost it all when he crossed Vladimir Putin politically.

Now heÂ’s fighting the Kremlin to get his freedom back, and has hired a lawyer from the Bronx - Robert Amsterdam - to help him do it.

Listen to an On Point discussion about a fallen billionaire in Siberia, and the future of riches, law and power in a rising Russian.

What does oil-rich Russia stand for today, at home and abroad?Â Have you done business there and felt a tingle of fear?Â Do you sympathize with the one-time billionaire now imprisoned six time zones east of Moscow?Â Or not?

Comments: 4

Donald H. Jul 24, 2008, 10:28am UTC

Please post this in Russophiles & in Rus Cultures & Cuisines.

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Richard B. Jul 24, 2008, 10:29am UTC

It would be good to remember Cuba in the 40's through the 50's and the Batista regime that were interwoven with the mob and very friendly with the US corporations when thinking of Russia in the current time frame.

Then also to remember how Castro came to power which was ever failing in their war antics. Time is on the Russian folks side in this new republic of Russia.

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Debra C. Jul 24, 2008, 4:39pm UTC

I have friends who were trying to work there, but the visa requirements (particularly the frequent exits) became so expensive they gave up.

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Sandi S. Jul 27, 2008, 8:51pm UTC

Is it true the mafia controls a lot of the business in Russia?

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Russia, Riches, and the Law

Comments: 4

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