Novosti : Khodorkovsky resigns from business union

MOSCOW, October 31 (RIA Novosti) - Former Yukos CEO Mikhail Khodorkovsky, now serving an eight-year prison term for fraud and tax evasion, announced his resignation from the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Monday, putting an end to speculation that he might be expelled in spring.

"Today, I am asking to be relieved of my duties as a member of the governing bureau of the RSPP," Khodorkovsky said in a statement posted on his press center's Web site.

He thanked the members of the bureau for supporting and not expelling him despite his arrest.

"I cannot remain in the governing bodies of this highly respected union for two reasons: I am no longer an industrialist or entrepreneur and I do not intend to run any profit-making businesses," he said in his statement. "From now on, I will only engage in public and political activities. Due to certain well-known circumstances, I will not be able to assist the RSPP in its work in organizational or financial terms."

Novosti, 10.31.2005