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Freed Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky meets family in Berlin, plans to speak Sunday

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Photo provided by the owners of the website khodorkovsky.ru shows former German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher, right, welcoming Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky at the airport in Berlin-Schoenefeld Friday, Dec. 20, 2013. After spending 10 years in Russian jails for what many in the West believe were trumped-up offenses Khodorkovsky left prison a free man Friday and immediately flew to Germany. (AP Photo/khodorkovsky.ru) MANDATORY CREDIT (The Associated Press)

This exterior photo shows Hotel Adlon, where Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky is believed to be a guest, in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013. After spending 10 years in Russian jails for what many in the West believe were trumped-up offenses, former oil tycoon Khodorkovsky left prison in Russia as a free man Friday and immediately flew to Germany. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) (The Associated Press)

FILE- In this Tuesday, May 31, 2011 file photo the parents of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, his mother Marina, left, and father Boris sit during an interview to the Associated Press at a boarding school for orphans which their son had set up in Koralovo outside Moscow, Russia. Russia’s once richest man Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the archrival of President Vladimir Putin, has been released from prison after a decade behind bars, and immediately flew to Germany. Khodorkovsky’s father, Boris, told The Associated Press that he and his wife Maria are in Moscow and will fly to Germany on Saturday. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File) (The Associated Press)

The former oil baron Mikhail Khodorkovsky is meeting with his family in Berlin a day after being released from decade-long imprisonment in Russia.

A spokesman for Khodorkovsky says the prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin planned no public appearances ahead of a news conference midday Sunday.

Christian Hanne says Khodorkovsky's son Pavel has already arrived in Berlin and his parents are expected to join them later Saturday.

Hanne told The Associated Press that "today is family day."

Khodorkovsky was released from prison Friday and immediately flew to Berlin aboard a private jet organized by former German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher.

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters late Friday that Khodorkovsky is free to return to Russia.