This & That, Ceci et Cela

Yukos offers share swap for Khodorkovsky-in jail. Since October, key shareholders of Russian oil firm Yukos have offered their stakes to the state in return for the release of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, its former chief.

“Life and liberty are more valuable than shares,” said Menatep shareholder Leonid Nevzlin. He and two other large shareholders have fled to Israel. In addition to Mr Khodorkovsky, the Russian authorities are holding Yukos shareholder Platon Lebedev, and former security chief Alexei Pichugin.

One Russian analyst, who asked not to be named also poured scorn on Mr Nevzlin’s suggestion. “It’s not a serious offer,” said the analyst. “If you try to bribe a traffic cop you don’t wave the money around in the air.”

Damn straight, you discreetly slide it in an envelope instead.  Or whatever the custom is for such things over there.