Will seek to free political prisoners: Khodorkovsky

The robust but slightly disoriented 50-year-old said he shouldnt be viewed as a symbol that there are no more political prisoners in Russia. He added that he would do all I can do to ensure the release of others.

The time that is left for me is time I would like to devote to the activity of paying back my debts to the people 8230; and by that I mean the people who are still in prison, he said.

However,Khodorkovsky said he would not be involved in the struggle for power in Russia.

He also said he would not be returning to the world of business since my financial situation doesnt require me to work just to earn some more money.

Earlier,Khodorkovsky said he wont sponsor the Russian opposition or seek the return of his enormous stake in the now-defunct oil firm Yukos,according to the German news agency dpa.

The comments appeared to quash speculation that Khodorkovsky would take a leading role in the political opposition against Putin. Once Russias richest man,Khodorkovsky was imprisoned in 2003 for tax evasion and money-laundering in cases that were widely criticised as revenge for his political activities. He had challenged Putins dominance by funding opposition parties and was also believed at the time to have personal political ambitions.