Khodorkovsky 'flying to Germany' after Putin pardon
Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former head of the now defunct oil giant Yukos, was once Russia's richest man
Russian ex-tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky is flying to Germany, hours after being pardoned by President Vladimir Putin, Russian news agencies report.
Mr Khodorkovsky had requested travel papers to see his sick mother who is being treated there, RIA Novosti quoted prison officials as saying.
Mr Putin signed a decree earlier pardoning Mr Khodorkovsky on the basis of "the principles of humanity".
Mr Khodorkovsky, 50, had been in custody for a decade.
The former head of the now defunct oil giant Yukos, who was once Russia's richest man, had been jailed for tax evasion and theft after funding opposition parties.
'Personal request'
Mr Khodorkovsky left the penal colony where he was being held, in the Karelia region of north-western Russia, early on Friday afternoon.
Russia's Federal Penal Service, quoted by news agency Interfax, said: "In the course of his release, Khodorkovsky asked for a passport for foreign travel. His request was met.
"Once he was released from prison, he left for Germany, where his mother is undergoing treatment.
"We stress that the flight took place at his request and his exit documents were processed at his personal request."
Interfax quoted Mr Khodorkovsky's press-secretary, Olga Pispanen, as saying she was unaware of his whereabouts.
The presidential pardon came after Russian MPs on Wednesday backed a wide-ranging amnesty for at least 20,000 prisoners.
Analysts say Mr Putin may be trying to ease international criticism of Russia's human rights record ahead of February's Winter Olympics in Sochi. bbc
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