Switzerland grants former Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky a 3-month visa

[dipsydoodle]

BERLIN - Switzerland has granted former Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky a visa.

Alexandra Baumann, a spokeswoman for the Swiss Embassy in Berlin, said Monday that Khodorkovsky's application for the three-month visa has been approved. The visa allows him to travel freely within the 26-nation Schengen area, which includes Switzerland and much of the European Union, but not Britain.

Khodorkovsky's sons go to school in Switzerland and he has business ties there.

Khodorkovsky flew to Berlin on Dec. 20, hours after being pardoned by Russian President Vladimir Putin and released from decade-long imprisonment. The German government gave him a one-year visa for Germany; Khodorkovsky then applied for a Swiss visa.

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Switzerland+grants+former+Russian+tycoon+Mikhail+Khodorkovsky/9334101/story.html#ixzz2oyH4WtBS

Profile: Mikhail Khodorkovsky http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12082222

[kelliekat44]

1. Just enough time to get his money our of the banks. nt

[msanthrope]

2. You need residency in Switzerland to maintain accounts there--a fact Julian Assange learned the hard

way...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-11929034

I suspect Mr. Khodorkovsky will make good use of his Swiss residency.

[dipsydoodle]

3. He's got a Schengen Visa

which entitles him to be there for 90 days max. : not residency.

[msanthrope]

4. As I noted--long enough to have an address, do some business, and move on. nt