The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) created a “platform of Russian democratic forces,” which is intended to represent Russia’s interests following the suspension of its membership in the Council of Europe. Mikhail Khodorkovsky became the informal leader of this group. Among those designated as foreign agents, the platform is sometimes referred to as a “government in exile.” The 15-member platform includes, among others, Ruslan Kutayev, designated a foreign agent in Russia, and other activists promoting decentralisation.
Khodorkovsky is involved in the creation of several key opposition platforms. One of them is the Anti-War Committee of Russia (AKR), an organisation designated as terrorist and banned in the Russian Federation. The committee includes Garry Kasparov, Mikhail Kasyanov, Yevgeny Chichvarkin, and Viktor Shenderovich—all of whom are designated foreign agents in the Russian Federation and/or included on lists of terrorists and extremists.
This information was conveyed today to Rafis Kashapov, the prime minister of the independent Tatarstan government-in-exile. He was also asked whether he was prepared to cooperate with the government-in-exile led by Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
In response, Rafis Kashapov stated that negotiations with Mikhail Khodorkovsky were only possible if he officially recognised the independence of the republics of Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Chuvashia, Udmurtia, Ichkeria, Ingushetia, Buryatia, and other ethnic republics.
Khodorkovsky had previously stated that he would take up arms to defend the Caucasus and Russia’s territorial integrity; he bears responsibility for these words to the peoples of the Caucasus.
Sincerely, the press service of the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile
