Stop the Untouchables. Justice for Sergei Magnitsky.

Russia: London libel case against Browder distracts attention from truth about Magnitsky’s death in detention – See more at: http://www.article19.org/resources.php/resource/37179/en/russia:-london-libel-case-against-browder-distracts-attention-from-truth-about-magnitsky%E2%80%99s-death-in-detention#sthash.B9dwAWc1.dpuf

Article 19

Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian whistleblower, who died in pre-trial detention in 2009, was recently found guilty, posthumously, of tax fraud offences. Despite clear objections by his family, the Russian Prosecutor’s Office put Magnitsky on trial posthumously under special provisions in Russian law. This week, his colleague, William Browder, who was tried and convicted in the same trial, is contending libel allegations in the High Court in London. ARTICLE 19 is concerned that the libel case against Browder deflects attention from finding the truth about Magnitsky’s death.

“The libel case against William Browder is adding insult to injury. It is absolutely reprehensible that William Browder should be pursued in this fashion in the High Court of England and Wales. ARTICLE 19 calls on the judge to dismiss the case in the strongest terms possible,” stated Dr Agnes Callamard, Executive Director, ARTICLE 19.

On 16 November 2009, whistleblower Sergei Magnitskiy died in pre-trial detention under suspicious circumstances, indicating that this was the result of torture or other ill-treatment. In 2007, Magnitsky uncovered a £150m (220m USD) tax fraud scheme run by officials from the Russian interior ministry. However, he was later arrested and charged with running the fraud himself. Sergei was then investigated by the exact same police official against whom the allegations had been made.

“To date, the circumstances of Magnitky’s death and the arbitrary criminal charges brought against him have not been effectively and impartially investigated by the Russian authorities,” added Callamard. ”We are extremely concerned that Russian officials are not focusing on investigating the circumstances of Magnitsky’s death and bringing those responsible to justice, but rather on those speaking out about his case and those involved in it.”

The case of Sergei Magnitsky is the highest profile example of what can happen to someone who blows the whistle about corruption and wrong-doing by the Russian authorities. It is absurd that the Russian authorities continue with their campaign to punish Sergei for his allegations even after his death.