Senate Proceeding 12-08-10 on Dec 8th, 2010 :: 3:27:15 to 3:31:55
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3:27:07 to 3:27:27( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: quorum call: a senator: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from mississippi. mr. wicker: i ask unanimous consent that t vitiated. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. wicker: and i understand we're in morning business. mr. wicker: thank you, mr. president. in june of this year, i joined my friend and colleague, senator ben car dirntion here on the

3:27:15 to 3:31:55( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Roger F. Wicker

3:27:28 to 3:27:48( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: senate floor to discuss an issue of great concern to both of us, and tomorrow americans, and to -- and to many americans, and to many advocates of freedom and the rule of law internationally and that issue is the ongoing trial in russia of mick coal

3:27:49 to 3:28:10( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: gourd cough ski and his business pattern. this trial or what gare garry kasparov called the latest judicial travesty came to a close november 2, a decision by the court is expected on december 15. khordokovsky was first arrested in 2003 and arrested arrested in 2005. this trial was unfair and

3:28:11 to 3:28:32( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: politically motivated, according to western human rights groups, western immediate yargs and many other independent observers. there's broad opinion that this second trial has been staged, has not provided the opportunity to judge facts in a clear and partial manner, and in general

3:28:33 to 3:28:54( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: has not honored the rule of law. i would note this is not a jury trial. the finder of fact is a single judge. many have claimed that this judge has come under both direct and indirect pressure in this case. in addition, the prosecution has used language in closing arguments as if a guilty verdict had already been rendered.

3:28:55 to 3:29:16( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: sadly, there seems to be little hope in a just verdict from this second trial, and now khodorkovskype and lebedev face the prospect of many more years in jail. these men served seven years in prison pained an unjust price for a campaign against them.

3:29:17 to 3:29:37( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: they have sacrificed many of their hraoeufrbgs their freedoms and their -- their freedom and their lives. it is time for both men to be set free and justice to be served in russia. this case is broader than khodorkov? sky and lebedev as individuals.

3:29:38 to 3:29:59( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: it raises the question about whether or not there are truly functioning institutions in russia. a guilty verdict would show that when russian authorities want to, they can act above the law, as they did in the first trial. it would also underscore that property rights in russia are meaningless, sending a chilling

3:30:00 to 3:30:20( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: message to investors and businesses alike. both domestically in russia and internationally. i fear we will see more case where rights are violated and the legal process undermined. thankfully, it is becoming increasingly difficult for russian authorities to hide the

3:30:21 to 3:30:41( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: illegitimacy of the charges and the process. government officials, human rights activists, journalists and others continue to raise questions about the legitimacy of this trial. some might suggest that we in the congress and that we in america should refrain from

3:30:42 to 3:31:03( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: commenting on cases in a sovereign nation's court system. i disagree. i do not think this is true when a nation's court system is clearly not independent and is being used to undermine the rule of law and fundamental democratic principles. i have led efforts to support congressional resolutions and hearings to draw attention to

3:31:04 to 3:31:24( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: specific issues about this case because i believe they are symbolic of broader and disturbing trends in russia. aeupbd and other colleagues -- and i and other colleagues in the senate will continue to do so. as i said in june of this year, the united states stands behind those that call for freedom from

3:31:25 to 3:31:45( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: tyranny and justice around the world. we must continue to stand with khodorkovsky and le pw e de -- and lebedev. the international community will be closely watching the outcome of this case and i urge my

3:31:46 to 3:31:58( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: colleagues, i urge president obama and the administration to do the same. i hope russia will choose the right path and somehow that