Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky arrived in Germany after Russian President Vladimir Putin released him Friday following more than 10 years in prison , the German Foreign Ministry said . Khodorkovsky 's son , Pavel , told CNN in a text message that he flew to Germany to meet his father . In a statement following his release , Khodorkovsky said he asked Putin to pardon him on November 12 , `` and I am glad his decision was positive . '' He further said `` the issue of admission of guilt was not raised '' in the discussion . He went on to personally thank those who followed his case and supported him and said he was `` constantly thinking of those who continue to remain imprisoned . '' `` I am very much looking forward to the minute when I will be able to hug my close ones and personally shake hands with all my friends and associates , '' he said . `` I will welcome the opportunity to celebrate this upcoming holiday season with my family . I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ! '' U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry welcomed Khodorkovsky 's release . `` The United States strongly encourages Russia to pursue reforms that establish a transparent , independent and reliable judicial system that upholds its commitments to human rights , the rule of law and non-discrimination , '' Kerry said . Putin signed an amnesty decree for Khodorkovsky , a former Yukos oil tycoon , earlier in the day . The signature came a day after Putin announced that he planned to pardon Khodorkovsky . The oil magnate , who backed an opposition party , had been in prison since 2003 and was convicted in 2005 of tax evasion and fraud . He was due for release in 2014 . Former German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher apparently was involved in the release , saying he met twice with Putin to discuss the case . Genscher also arranged the flight on a private jet from Russia and picked Khodorkovsky up at the airport in Berlin . `` He is doing well considering the circumstances , '' Genscher told Caren Miosga of CNN affiliate ARD in Germany . `` He looks forward to seeing his family again in a few hours again . I heard his conversation with his family members in the car , although I don´t speak Russian . It was still moving . This is understandable because he had to suffer for 10 years . '' Russian tycoon 's prison sentence cut by two years . Speaking to reporters Thursday , Putin said Khodorkovsky had written a letter appealing for a pardon , citing humanitarian factors . A statement Thursday on a website set up in support of Khodorkovsky said that it could not confirm plans for a pardon but `` all of his family and supporters would of course be elated to see him finally free after ten years of imprisonment . '' Putin 's announcement came a day after Russian lawmakers backed a sweeping amnesty law . The amnesty , to mark the anniversary of the adoption in 1993 of Russia 's post-Communist constitution , will be applied to thousands of Russian prisoners , the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported . It comes at a time when Russia 's human rights record is in the spotlight , as the country prepares to host the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi in February . Russia has faced international criticism for its treatment of Khodorkovsky , once Russia 's richest man , with countries including the United States accusing it of selective prosecution and abuse of the legal system . He has said his prosecution was part of a Kremlin campaign to destroy him and take control of the company he built from privatization deals of the 1990s .
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry urges reforms in Russian judicial system . Mikhail Khodorkovsky thanks his family and supporters in statement . President Vladimir Putin signed a decree pardoning Khodorkovsky . The former oil magnate and Kremlin opponent had been in prison since 2003 .