Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former Yukos CEO, has been declared internationally wanted by Interpol's Russian bureau, the Interfax news agency reported Thursday, citing a source familiar to the case.
According to an unidentified source, Interpol's Russian bureau has declared Khodorkovsky internationally wanted in connection with the murder of Vladimir Petukhov, the mayor of the Siberian oil capital Nefteyugansk in 1998.
The decision has been forwarded to Interpol's Central Bureau in Lyons, the source told the news agency.
This was later confirmed by the Investigative Committee, the RBC news website reported.
Interpol's Russian bureau's request does not mean Khodorkovsky will be included on the Interpol's database. The final decision will be made by an independent commission, according to an unidentified source within Interpol, cited by Interfax.
In December 2015, Khodorkovsky — who resides abroad after being released from prison in 2013 — was charged in absentia with masterminding two murders and declared internationally wanted by Russia's Investigative Committee.
Khodorkovsky will not change his plans or limit travel because of the Interpol warrant, his spokeswoman Kulle Pispanen told Interfax on Thursday — expressing hope that Interpol will refuse to heed the Russian bureau's request.
The former oil tycoon spent a total of 10 years in prison on charges of tax evasion and embezzlement, a case widely viewed as politically motivated. He was released following a pardon from President Vladimir Putin.
