By Nick Butler

Putin announced the release of old foe Khodorkovsky on the 50 day anniversary of Sochi 2014 ©Getty ImagesDecember 19 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has marked the 50 days to go anniversary until the start of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi by offering an olive branch to his global critics by releasing political prisoners for the second successive day.


Following the ever-increasing number of international leaders announcing that they will not attend Sochi 2014 in an indirect protest of Russia's human rights record and anti-gay rights propaganda legislation, Putin has shown he is not averse to pragmatic political gestures of his own.

Following yesterday's revealing of an amnesty which is set to ensure the release of the two jailed members of the Pussy Riot punk band and the 30-member crew of a Greenpeace protest ship, he today announced the pardoning of oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

Khodorkovsky, formerly Russia's richest man, was jailed in 2003, officially for embezzlement, tax evasion and fraud.

But, because he had repeatedly clashed with Putin and funded opposition groups, he is widely viewed as a political prisoner and his release after a decade of failed release attempts is therefore a significant move. 

The release of Khodorkovsky follows yesterday's amnesty which should ensure the freedom of the two members of Pussy Riot still behind bars ©Getty ImagesThe release of Mikhail Khodorkovsky follows yesterday's amnesty which should ensure the freedom of the two members of Pussy Riot still behind bars ©Getty Images


Putin's admittance that "a decree to pardon Khodorkovsky will be signed shortly" has been interpreted as a means to reduce international criticism as the Olympics approach.

Putin insisted that Russia is taking its host country role seriously so that athletes can "perform at their best and make our fans and their countries' fans happy."

But, with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo the latest additions to a list of world leaders missing the Games, which also includes German President Joachim Gauck and French leader François Hollande, the event is in danger of being lost in an avalanche of international criticism.

The Prime Minister of the country who hosted the last Winter Olympics Stephen Harper has become one of the latest leaders to announce his non-attendance ©Getty ImagesStephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, who hosted the last Winter Olympics, has become one of the latest leaders to announce his non-attendance ©Getty Images


The International Olympic Committee (IOC) have also introduced designated protest zones for protests to be made while, for the first time ever, accredited members of national delegations will be permitted to participate.

Perhaps most damagingly of all for Russia, the United States delegation will be led by two openly gay figures - former tennis player Billie Jean King and double Olympic ice hockey medallist Caitlin Cahow - with President Barrack Obama and vice-president Joe Biden each likely to stay away.

But the release of political prisoners may tempt other high profile leaders who have not yet committed either way to potentially attend, it will be hoped.

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