Khodorkovsky seeks to become MP

Khodorkovsky's supporters say he is innocent

Jailed Russian businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky has announced that he intends to stand for parliament.

In a statement on his website, the former Yukos chief said he would contest a seat in a Moscow district, in a by-election later this year.

Khodorkovsky, once Russia's wealthiest man, was sentenced to nine years in May for fraud and tax evasion.

His supporters say he is the victim of a political campaign to undermine his power base and end his political hopes.

The former businessman is being held at a Moscow detention centre while he appeals against the verdict.

Under Russian law, he is able to stand for parliament while his appeal is pending.

'Rotting'

Khodorkovsky said he had taken the decision to stand for the country's lower house of parliament after expressions of support from across Russia.

MIKHAIL KHODORKOVSKY 1963 - Born in Moscow; parents were chemical engineers 1980s - Sets up computer and software business with fellow students at Mendeleeva Chemical Technical Institute 1987 - Founds Menatep bank 1994 - Buys fertiliser company Apatit at auction 1995 - Buys oil company Yukos for $300m, with Menatep assuming $2bn in debt October 2003 - Arrested on charges of embezzlement, tax evasion and fraud June 2004 - Court case begins May 2005 - Found guilty of six of seven charges and sentenced to nine years in jail

In a statement, he said he was running for the "right... to say publicly [that] the current Kremlin regime has exhausted itself and its days are trickling away".

He condemned President Vladimir Putin's rule as "rotting", and said his "days are numbered".

Russia needs "a new generation of leaders who are... thinking of the fate of Russia in the third millennium", he said.

Correspondents say that there is little sympathy for former oligarchs like Khodorkovsky among most ordinary Russians, with whom Mr Putin remains very popular.

But representatives of Russia's smaller, liberal parties, appear ready to back him in a challenge to Russia's current leadership, says BBC regional analyst Steven Eke.

However, some observers suspect that a campaign to stand for parliament will only hasten a decision to quash his appeal.