Russia pressured on Sergei Magnitsky death

Law Society Gazette

Prime minister David Cameron has thrown his weight behind a campaign to expose the truth behind the death of a lawyer investigating an alleged £142m fraud against a UK company in Russia.

Sergei Magnitsky (pictured) was working for UK investment firm Hermitage Capital when, after alleging a £142m tax fraud by Russian officials, he was arrested and allegedly tortured. On 16 November 2009, one year after being detained, he died in police custody in Moscow.

An official investigation announced by Russian president Dmitry Medvedev later in November 2009 has yet to produce any findings.

The Law Society wrote a letter of intervention to Medvedev in July 2009 protesting at Magnitsky’s detention ‘while working as an independent lawyer’ representing Hermitage, and urging him to ensure all lawyers and judges were able to carry out their duties ‘without fear of intimidation or harassment’.

Chancery Lane wrote to Medvedev again in December 2009 following Magnitsky’s death, expressing concern at bruises on the dead lawyer’s hands that were reportedly visible during the funeral, and at claims that he was ‘denied ­medical treatment… which eventually led to his death’.

The Society urged Medvedev to investigate allegations that pressure was put upon Magnitsky to ‘incriminate himself and others’.

In January this year, shadow justice minister Chris Bryant submitted a 1,000-page dossier to the home secretary detailing the alleged roles of 60 Russian officials in Magnitsky’s arrest and death. Some 22 UK members of parliament have signed an Early Day Motion calling on the government to impose visa and other sanctions on the Russian officials claimed to be involved in the case.

Earlier this month, Cameron wrote to Hermitage stating that he is ‘deeply concerned’ about the case and will be tracking its progress ahead of his planned visit to Russia later this year. hairy woman займы без отказа https://zp-pdl.com/emergency-payday-loans.php zp-pdl.com займ на карту без отказов круглосуточно