( CNN ) -- Less than two months before the world focuses on Russia for the Sochi Olympics , President Vladimir Putin is handing out `` get out of jail free '' cards . A new amnesty law introduced by Putin allowed two members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot to leave prison on Monday , two months before the end of their two-year sentences for a performance critical of the President . In addition , 30 Greenpeace demonstrators could go free under the amnesty law passed by Russian lawmakers last week that could affect 25,000 prisoners . Putin also pardoned former oil tycoon and Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky , who had been jailed since 2003 and was convicted in 2005 of tax evasion and fraud . It all is part of a public relations offensive by Putin , who has solidified his political dominance in Russia and now seeks to improve the country 's image ahead of the Olympic Games that begin February 7 in the Black Sea city of Sochi . The amnesty law and the Khodorkovsky release `` are to a certain extent tied to the upcoming Olympics , '' said CNN Foreign Affairs Correspondent Jill Dougherty . Russia 's international image has suffered from an anti-gay law passed under Putin , with threats of protests and boycotts at the Olympics over its bans on `` homosexual propaganda . '' In addition , the jailing of Khodorkovsky harmed foreign investment in Russia because it smacked of political repression , Dougherty noted . `` Russia wants to improve its image and increase investment in the country , '' she said , adding that Khodorkovsky 's imprisonment `` caused some businesses to think twice about '' getting involved in Russia . Russia has faced international criticism for its treatment of Khodorkovsky , once Russia 's richest man , with countries including the United States accusing it of `` selective prosecution '' and abuse of the legal system . He became both a political and economic threat to Putin by wanting to create a commercial oil pipeline that would break the government monopoly on the industry and by funding opposition politicians , Dougherty said . Khodorkovsky , who was due for release next year , wrote Putin a letter from prison that asked for early release because his mother was ailing . He insisted the letter contained no admission of guilt , and Putin said the pardon was on humanitarian grounds . Upon his release , Khodorkovsky left the country and has said he wo n't continue his political activities against the Russian government . `` Putin really believes that he 's basically crushed the opposition , that he does n't have to worry about them anymore , '' Dougherty said , calling the move a commentary on Russian society that now has relative political stability after major anti-government demonstrations in 2011 . `` He may well think that he 's had some victory over the opposition . '' The government linked the new amnesty law to the anniversary of the 1993 adoption of Russia 's post-Communist constitution . However , the Pussy Riot performers , Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova , called it a publicity stunt aimed at improving Russia 's image ahead of the Sochi Games . `` President Putin obviously used this amnesty option to ( brighten ) up his image before the Olympic games , '' said Pyotr Verzilov , the husband of Tolokonnikova . `` Two months out of the almost two years that the girls have served is not much , '' he said . `` So the effect of this amnesty for Maria and Nadezhda is not really felt . '' Pussy Riot 's 2012 performance of a `` punk prayer '' at a Russian Orthodox cathedral criticized Putin , who was prime minister at the time . The musicians were found guilty of hooliganism . According to Russian media , Alyokhina and Tolokonnikova qualified for amnesty under the new law because they have young children . The Pussy Riot case made headlines around the world , as did the anti-gay law passed in July that banned `` propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations around minors . '' It bars the public discussion of gay rights and relationships anywhere children might hear it -- and has been condemned by Russian and international rights groups as highly discriminatory . Critics say it is so vague that wearing a rainbow t-shirt or holding hands in public with someone of the same sex could bring prosecution . Last week , Putin defended the new law as necessary to defend the conservative Russian society from `` values which are received in a difficult way by our citizens . '' Asked about the issue by CNN 's Dougherty at a news conference , Putin said the law was n't about criticizing anyone , but instead involved `` protecting us from rather aggressive behavior from some social groups who , in my opinion , are trying to impose their points of view in a rather aggressive way . '' In an apparent jab at the anti-gay laws , the United States announced last week that its delegation to the Winter Olympics will include openly gay athletes such as tennis legend Billie Jean King and hockey player Caitlin Cahow . No member of President Barack Obama 's family or current Cabinet will attend . CNN 's Jethro Mullen , Diana Magnay , Alla Eshchenko , Laura Smith-Spark , Jason Hanna and Yousuf Basil contributed to this report .
The Riot Party members go free under new amnesty law . A former oil minister and political opponent gets pardoned . Putin promises to improve Russia 's economy and promote democracy . The Russian President believes he has defeated the opposition .