Kremlin Warns Of Consequences Yukos Verdict
The statements by the Kremlin openly exceptionally high economic adviser Arkady Dvorkovich marked the first time a senior Russian official has admitted that the verdict for the former head of Yukos, could have a negative impact on investors.
"I think there are serious doubts whether much of the international community and the risk assessment working in Russia rise," Dvorkovich said in an interview with the online newspaper Gazeta.ru.
His comments came days after British energy giant BP signed an exploration agreement with the Arctic huge Russian society's most important oil, state-controlled Rosneft, in one of the most important international transactions in its post-Soviet history.
Trade has proven to be highly controversial abroad, partly because of Rosneft was able to increase its dominant position with the acquisition of a major break-up of Yukos assets at auction in question was organized.
Dvorkovich said the case would be a key theme when President Dmitry Medvedev will attend World Economic Forum in Davos and will address global economic decision-makers at the end of the month.
"The loss of image and the attitude of investors, a week in Davos, we'll see how all the members of the Russian delegation, these issues are, and we know that the attitude of investors."
bring Khodorkovsky's lawyer Vadim Klyuvgant told the Interfax news agency reported that the revision of the risk for investors in Russia, "had already occurred" after the new decision.
Moscow court on December 30 Khodorkovsky sentenced to 14 years in prison after found guilty of embezzlement and money laundering after a trial denounced the West for political reasons.
He is already serving a prison sentence for the above-mentioned in 2005. Under the terms of a new sentence, Khodorkovsky remains in prison until 2017.
His supporters have long argued tycoon jailed for revenge political courage to fund the strong opposition Vladimir Putin and the second study, rattled investors in Russia as proof of danger.
Dvorkovich refused to see the results of the study, it was a matter of law, but noted that the court's decision was not final.
"It 's obvious that all the procedures were not used, there will be complaints and investigations in different courts. To say that the process is over is completely wrong."
Dvorkovich, a fanatical chess player regarded as one of the staunchest defenders of the reform of the Medvedev team does not fear a blow to the Putin government.
He said while the Labour prime minister had been "effective" during the past two years, there were still many problems in Russia, including the investment climate. "
"And of course, the government bears some responsibility for this prime minister and have repeatedly told myself," he added.
Dvorkovich welcomed the agreement BP-Rosneft as an example of what should be standard practice in Russia and said it could be one of the "star" operations in 2011.
Terms of the agreement, Rosneft plans to hold five per cent of BP? S ordinary voting rights in exchange for approximately 9.5 percent of Rosneft? N shares.
"It's a perfectly logical step not only the logical exchange assets in the energy sector but also in the privatization," he said.