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The arrest and subsequent resignation of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, boss of the Russia's largest oil company, Yukos, has raised questions about the future of free enterprise and democracy in Russia.

It has highlighted the tensions between the big businessmen, the so-called oligarchs, and the Kremlin.

Critics see the arrest of Mr Khodorkovsky, on a charges of fraud and tax evasion, as an attempt by the Kremlin to strike back at the tycoon for funding opposition parties ahead of next month's parliamentary elections.

Vladimir Putin has responded to the controversy surrounding the arrest by saying he will pursue all criminals - whoever they are.

Speaking on Thursday after a summit with European Union leaders in Rome he said his aim was to establish order in his country.

Is a new autocratic Russia emerging ? If so, does this have consequences for the rest of the world? Or is this just an internal problem for Russia?

This debate is now closed. The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received:

The only person who knows the answer to that question is Vladimir Putin. Russians, in their hearts, NEED a strong ruler. Without one they feel very insecure. Russia is infinitely more free now than it was as a communist state. I think things will slowly improve.
James Frankcom, London, UK

I have been visiting Russia for the past 24 years and whilst I have seen many changes take place there has always been one constant. That constant is authoritarianism which has always been a feature of Russian government from long before Communist times. It is often said in Russia that all that the people require of their leader is strength, that Russians want to be governed in an autocratic manner. Perhaps this is true, perhaps not, but the support for President Putin within the country would tend to support this view.
Matt Davis, London, UK

Land, labour and resource are in abundance, and investors are flocking there in droves P Walsh, Leeds, Yorkshire

I have also recently returned from Russia, and what I witnessed was the Russian ambition and determination. Land, labour and resource are in abundance, and investors are flocking there in droves. Manufacturing is moving away from Europe, and now, investors are beginning to follow. In less than a few decades, we will be standing in their shadow.
P Walsh, Leeds, Yorkshire

The arrest of Mikhail Khodorkovsky is significant in that for me it highlights what is not being done in Russia. The oligarchs were at least expanding business interests and providing increased employment and as with most large businesses in transition countries would eventually have had to come in line as their own forcing of the economy would demand. For me the greater problem is the corruption ingrained in the police forces and 'upholders' of the law in Russia.

My example is that for me to send one lorry across part of Russia costs $2800, but the bribes to traffic police and customs people cost $1800 extra. Set this against the possible costs involved by these so called industry criminals, and the perspective begins to change. At least the strength of the oligarchs stopped these corrupt officials from interfering in their essential business activities, but the government is 'blind' to the corruption within.
Graham Dale, Tbilisi, Georgia

The interference of government in public affairs involving politics and money in particularly when they are related to jeopardising national security is only natural in any form of ruling system. Russia is going through the growing pains of a new form of government, namely democracy. She will learn from gamut of success, trials and failures. This is part and parcel of a great effort in championing and preserving the ideals of democracy. What should probably stand above all else is the good practice of transparency and abhorrence of double standard that will ensure the reinforcement of the reverence towards law and order.
Mel Lee, Selangor, Malaysia

If Mr. Khodorkovsky committed fraud and tax evasion, then he should be incarcerated. Pres. Putin has the right to go after these businessmen who broke the law to get ahead.
B. Schmitt, USA

The good sense of the Russian people, not to mention their enormous reservoir of talent, will win out in the end Jack Thompson, London, UK

Stop worrying. I have just been in Moscow and elsewhere in Russia. We in the West are asking Russia to turn itself almost overnight into the kind of civil society it took the English half a millennium to achieve. I can tell you from what I witnessed that Moscow is alive with debate (especially in the press) and the arts, not least theatre and music, are flourishing despite financial constraints. So let's end this Schadenfreude about Russia. It will take time. It will be painful. It won't live up to our expectations and the rogues will flourish. But the good sense of the Russian people, not to mention their enormous reservoir of talent, will win out in the end.
Jack Thompson, London, UK

The issue is not the guilt or innocence of Khodorkovsky (that should be decided by courts), but what is alarming is how the State Prosecutors went after him: armed men in masks stormed his plane, the Prosecutor proclaimed him guilty of crimes on national TV before the trial even began, and the courts violated the law every step of the way (as if they had a green light to do so from Kremlin). The rule of law is for everybody - for average citizen, for Khodorkovsky, for Putin and YES for the courts, too. Analyze this.
E, Moscow, Russia

Certainly not. Russia is a growing democracy and undergoing a natural process of change in the right direction. I think President Putin is doing the right thing in not allowing those who have acquired wealth through questionable and dubious connections to hijack the political process in order to acquire political power. This has been the bane of African Democracies, especially Nigeria, where a powerful faction keeps circulating the same corrupt officials each election. Posterity will eventually thank Putin in Russia.
Oladele Collins, Lagos, Nigeria

Putin and Russia are trying to keep the Russian oil under Russian control. Free enterprise does not equal democracy and human rights. When the enterprise is the fourth biggest private oil company, history have shown us that free enterprise and democracy are contradictions. Oil in Iraq, oil in Venezuela, pipeline through Afghanistan and gas in Guatemala are recent episodes that spring in mind. Khordovsky intents to sell Yukos to the Americans. He benefits, and Russia loses control with its oil forever. The West has always mistrusted the motives of Russia, also after its position on the current war in Iraq.
Per Danbo, Copenhagen, Denmark

I would recommend the Europeans to question freedom of speech and democracy in THEIR countries Liza, Russia

The Western media goes on about political reasons for this arrest and some "autocratic fears", none of which is true. I would recommend the Europeans to question freedom of speech, democracy and trustworthy of media in THEIR countries rather than worrying too much about none-existent threats to democracy in Russia.
Liza, Russia

It's better to have Putin, or whoever next one, if they keep those criminals where they belong! Russians do not need free press - they need food, order of the law, cease of the terror. IF YOU, GUYS, love so much the democracy, please try go to Russia and live there on $50 a month. And than, please come back after year and teach me about freedom to die from hunger because those criminal "tycoons" did not pay taxes, which are directed to pensions payments.
Joe, UK

I would agree with people saying that this purported "putinisation" of Russia (a kind of proto-authoritarianism) is nothing to worry about. Democracy isn't going to come overnight to Russia, and the local culture and history needs to be taken into account.

But what I am worried about is a linear progression: first Putin censored the newspapers (started by President Yeltsin shutting down Krokodil, a satirical paper which often made fun of politicians), then curtailing other venues of opposition, and finally now getting rid by force of men who disagree with his vision of Russia, all in the guise of corruption-hunting.
Victoria Barrett, US/British ex-pat

When Bush unlawfully got into power in the USA did anyone ask is a new autocratic America emerging? Or did anyone ask is this the end of democracy in the US?
Jonathon Morris, North Shropshire, England