After 10 years in jail,Mikhail B Khodorkovsky,former chairman of Yukos Oil and once Russias richest man,walked free from a prison colony in northern Russia Friday and flew to Berlin on a private jet,the German Foreign Ministry confirmed. President Vladimir V Putin of Russia signed a decree pardoning the former oil tycoon early Friday,citing humanitarian principles and bringing Khodorkovskys criminal odyssey to an abrupt and unexpected end. It came less than 24 hours after Putins marathon annual news conference Thursday,made the surprise announcement that clemency was imminent for Khodorkovsky,a one-time rival. In a statement posted on his website,Khodorkovsky said he had requested a pardon over a month ago,on November 12,and he was happy for a favourable decision. It was not immediately clear why he had not informed his lawyers and family of the pardon request. The question of my admitting guilt was not raised, Khodorkovsky said. He added: I greatly await the minute when I can hug those close to me and personally shake the hands of my friends and colleagues. I constantly think about those who are still in prison. Putins spokesman,Dmitri S Peskov,Friday said Khodorkovsky had sent two letters,one longer and personal,and the second a formal request for a pardon. He specifically asked permission to fly to Germany,Peskov told reporters. President Putin had considered the request and decided to grant it,Peskov said,adding that there were no restrictions on Khodorkovsky returning to Russia. In Germany,Chancellor Angela Merkel issued a statement Friday evening welcoming Khodorkovskys release,for which she said she had repeatedly petitioned the Russian president,according to her spokesman.
