David Cameron tackles Russians over Hermitage lawyer death

Daily Telegraph

David Cameron has said he is “deeply concerned” by the death of London-based hedge fund Hermitage Capital’s lawyer in Russian prison in 2009 and has promised to raise the case in on a state visit to the country.

In a letter written to Bill Browder, the boss of Hermitage, which was once Russia’s biggest equity fund, David Cameron said that the mystery surrounding the death of Sergei Magnitsky had “implications for the rule of law and respect for human rights in Russia”.

Mr Cameron said he discussed the case with Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, at a meeting in Downing Street on February 15. The Prime Minister said it was of “particular concern that the official investigation announced by President Medvedev in November 2009 has not yet reported its findings.”

He added the UK Government’s response to the case was being led by David Liddington, the Minister for Europe, whom he said was “ready to meet” Mr Browder to “discuss the case in more detail”.

Mr Magnitsky, who was based in Moscow, uncovered evidence allegedly showing criminal elements in the Russian police and the judiciary had worked with the Russian mafia to steal $230m (£141m) of taxes paid by Hermitage in 2006 from the state. After the allegations emerged, Mr Magnitsky was charged with tax avoidance and later died in custody while awaiting trial.

Mr Browder, who campaigns against state corruption in Russia, has alleged that Mr Magnitsky was denied adequate medical treatment and subjected to conditions amounting to torture. The case has triggered international condemnation and spooked global investors.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, Mr Browder asked Igor Shuvalov, Russia’s deputy prime minister, about the an investigation “into the people who killed my lawyer”. He added: “What will prevent other investors having the same experience after my experience in Russia?”

Mr Shuvalov said he didn’t know the outcome of the investigation but told Mr Browder that “we need to concentrate on the future”. займы на карту без отказа микрозаймы онлайн https://zp-pdl.com/best-payday-loans.php www.zp-pdl.com микрозаймы онлайн