Khodorkovsky Granted Presidential Pardon

After spending a decade in jail for embezzlement, tax evasion and theft, former Russian oil magnate and prominent political critic, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, was granted pardon on Thursday by Russian President Putin on the basis of "the principles of humanity".

It was revealed during his annual press conference on Thursday, that the former head of oil giant Yukos had asked the President for clemency because his mother was ill.

In a decree signed by Mr Putin and published
by the Kremlin, he said "guided by humanitarian principles , I decree that Mikhail Borisovich
Khodorkovsky. .. should be pardoned and freed from any further punishment in the
form of imprisonment . This decree comes into force from the day of its signing."

The pardon came as a surprise to the public after Russian MPs pushed for a wide-ranging amnesty for at
least 20,000 prisoners including minors, disabled
people, veterans, pregnant women and mothers.

Although, analysts say that the pardon may actually be a ploy to push aside international criticism of Russia's human rights record ahead of February's Winter Olympics in Sochi, the Kommersant newspaper said on Friday Khodorkovsky had made the decision to seek a pardon following the threat of a
third trial against him.

Although, Khodorkovsky was imprisoned in 2010 after being convicted of stealing oil and laundering money, he has been in prison since 2003 when he was arrested on charges of tax evasion. He was due to be released next August.

Fire at Psychiatric Hospital in Russia kills 38

38 people have been killed in a blaze that tore through a wing of a psychiatric hospital near Moscow, according to Russian officials on Friday. The victims include 36 patients and two members of staff.

Luckily, 3 people escaped the fire unhurt as there were originally 41 people in the building early Friday, according to a report from Russian Emergencies Ministries.

According to investigators, when the alarm went off, the off-duty nurse was only able to evacuate two patients due to the heavy smoke. most of the victims were believed to be asleep at that time.

It took more than an hour for firefighters to arrive at the scene due to a river crossing that was closed as a result of flooding.

According to a statement released by the Russia's Investigative Committee, there is a preliminary information indicating that the source of the fire was a sofa utilised in the common room.

Russiaan President Vladimir Putin has called for an investigation into the blaze. he has urged the acting governor in the area, law enforcement agencies, the health ministry, and other local officials to ensure survivors are properly assistted.