Khodorkovsky: “If I had known about the years I would have to spend in prison, I would have shot myself right away”

Former head of YUKOS Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who will turn 50 in a couple of days, said in an interview with The New Times that he would have shot himself if he had known what awaited him after his arrest in Novosibirsk 10 years ago.

Answering the magazine’s question about how he would have decided his fate, knowing how the next 10 years would pass, Khodorkovsky said: “I’m afraid I would have shot myself. For me then, my current experience would have been a shock.”

When asked to sum up the main results before the upcoming 50th anniversary, to name the main pros and cons, the ex-head of YUKOS noted that he “has a wonderful family: four children, a granddaughter, parents, a wife who has been beloved for a quarter of a century... - a plus.” “There was a lot of things - both what I am proud of and what I am ashamed of. Over time, views change: what is important ceases to be important, and vice versa... The main thing is that life was not empty. There is something to remember,” said the ex-entrepreneur.

When asked how old he felt, Khodorkovsky replied: “I can’t believe that I’m already 50! Maximum is 40! Alas, doctors don’t share my optimism.”

The prisoner also talked about how he was going to celebrate the anniversary in the camp: “I hope I can treat my fellow sufferers to tea and sweets, and on June 27 I will go on a date with my wife and children. The last time we saw each other was in March.”