CAMERON WARNED OVER RUSSIA LINKS

Sunday Express

PRIME Minister David Cameron is being warned to exercise caution when urging British companies to invest in Russia.

The warning from top financier Bill Browder comes as Cameron prepares to visit Russia today on a trade visit. He will also be meeting Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Browder, whose lawyer Sergei Magnitsky was tortured and murdered in a Russian jail, said: “If he promotes investment in Russia he is putting British money and lives in harm’s way.

“He needs to create consequences for Russian officials who have victimised British investors before luring new investors into Russia.”

Browder, who founded successful investment fund firm Hermitage Capital Management, has been seeking justice for Magnitsky since his death in custody in November 2009 but officials behind his jailing and death have so far escaped punishment.

Magnitsky was jailed on false charges after investigating a huge fraud against the Russian state by Russian government officials involving assets that were expropriated from Hermitage.

The financier wants those responsible for his torture and death banned from entering the UK and he is garnering support for a visa ban from MPs from all parties following a similar visa ban in the US.
Magnitsky’s death is likely to be very high on Cameron’s agenda in Russia. The jailing of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former head of the defunct Russian oil giant Yukos, on trumped-up tax charges is also likely to be raised at a high level.

Yukos assets worth $100 billion (£63 billion) are the subject of a case in the European Court of Human Rights that is likely to reach its conclusion this month. Former shareholders in Yukos have made a claim for the assets that are in the hands of the Russian state.

In May, Cameron pledged in the Commons to highlight the occupation of Georgia by Russian troops during his talks at the Kremlin.

The PM has a close bond with Georgia after being one of the first Western politicians to visit Tbilisi just days after the Russian invasion in August 2008. The Kremlin promised to withdraw troops but thousands of Russian soldiers remain on Georgian territory and ethnic Georgians have been expelled from their homes.

Giorgi Badridze, Georgian ambassador to the UK, said: “We welcome the principled stand by David Cameron and hope that this encourages Russia to abide by international law.” payday loan unshaven girl https://zp-pdl.com/how-to-get-fast-payday-loan-online.php https://zp-pdl.com/best-payday-loans.php hairy woman