Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to pardon jailed oligarch and Kremlin opponent Mikhail Khodorkovsky , he said Thursday . Speaking to reporters after a news conference , Putin said Khodorkovsky had written a letter appealing for a pardon , citing humanitarian factors . The announcement came a day after Russian lawmakers backed a sweeping amnesty law and as the nation 's human rights issues are in the spotlight as the country prepares to host the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi in February . 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 reported . `` We have several dozens of amnesties recently , '' Putin told reporters . As for Khodorkovsky , Putin said that he has been imprisoned for more than 10 years , which he called a `` serious punishment . '' `` His mother is ill , and I think , taking into consideration all these circumstances , one can take an appropriate decision , '' Putin said . `` And a decree will be signed shortly after pardoning him . '' Khodorkovsky 's son told CNN Thursday that he was not able to substantiate Kremlin assertions that there is a planned pardon for his father . During a telephone interview , Pavel Khodorkovsky said he had yet to talk to his father or his father 's attorneys . `` With Putin things are always personal , '' he said . `` I would be surprised if Putin were playing politics . '' His father , an oil magnate who backed an opposition party , has been in prison since 2003 and was convicted in 2005 of tax evasion and fraud . 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 .
Putin tells reporters about plans for a pardon . This comes as lawmakers back an amnesty law . Comment: Russia has been criticized for its treatment of Khodorkovsky .