In Australia right now is Robert Amsterdam, a London-based lawyer representing Mikhail Khodorkovsky.  The Khodorkovsky injustice requires more space than I’m able to dedicate - but in a nutshell, one of Russia’s welathiest and most influential men was jailed by Russia’s president Vladimir Putin.

Amsterdam has a simple message - by embracing Vladimir Putin, Western nations turn a blind eye to human rights abuses.  The jailing of Khodorkovsky is politically motivated.  His treatment shows the deterioration of Russia’s independent, democratic institutions.

And Australians can rightly ask - so what?  What’s it mean for us? 

As a democratic nation we should be outraged by human rights abuses.  Yet we tolerate other nations in the interests of trade.  Look at the run-around the Dalai Lama received when trying to get an audience in Canberra!  But beyond the heart the changes in Russia can start to hit Australia a little lower down - in the wallet! 

Russia is one of the world’s top mineral exporters, and with the new powers Putin is giving state-run enterprises these national companies will be able to seriously under-cut Australia’s exports.  Putin is creating a new business model for Russia’s businesses. 

In Japan’s edition of Newsweek today, Amsterdam is quoted as saying Putin is a thief.  He’s stolen Khodorkovsky’s life - he’ll be after Australia’s exports next!

Track Mikhail - he may be a proverbial canary in a coal mine put in place to signal major change to Russia’s democracy.  Let’s hope he’s able to fly the coop soon!