MOSCOW — The Russian billionaire and New Jersey Nets owner who plans to challenge Vladimir Putin in Russia's presidential election says his first move if elected will be to pardon jailed tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
Mikhail Prokhorov said Thursday he would also liberalize elections rules and reduce a presidential term if he wins next March’s vote.
Khodorkovsky has been in jail since 2003 on tax evasion and fraud charges seen as a punishment for defying Putin’s power.
Speaking at a meeting with supporters who nominated him for the race, Prokhorov hailed last weekend’s protest in Moscow against vote fraud, which attracted tens of thousands in the largest show of discontent in 20 years.
He said he may join a follow-up protest later this month.
