Khodorkovsky's mother: 'I want to hope but I don't believe'

In the past twelve months there has been a series of what the Russian opposition describes as "political trials," and an acceleration of the government's abuse of the justice system.

But it all began almost 10 years ago, with the arrest of the oil billionaire Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who had challenged President Vladimir Putin unwritten rule that oligarchs should stay out of politics. He has been in prison ever since.

Before his eight year sentence ended, there was a second trial which extended his prison term by a further six years.

Every three months his mother Marina Khodorkovskaya travels vast distances to visit him.

On her most recent visit Marina Khodorkovskaya spoke to our correspondent Daniel Sandford during the 20 hour train journey from Moscow.

She described what it was like going into Segezha Prison Colony No 7.