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Russia to open posthumous Sergei Magnitsky trial Russia holds hearing in posthumous Sergei Magnitsky trial
(about 2 hours later)
The late Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky is to go on trial in Moscow in a highly unusual criminal case brought against a dead defendant. A Russian court has held a pre-trial hearing in the case against late anti-corruption lawyer Sergei Magnitsky.
Mr Magnitsky, an auditor at a law firm, was arrested in 2008 after accusing officials of a huge tax fraud, but was later himself accused of those crimes. The court said the trial would start on 4 March. It is believed to be the first time in Soviet or Russian history a defendant has been tried posthumously.
He died in custody a year later at the age of 37. Mr Magnitsky was arrested in 2008 after accusing officials of tax fraud but was later himself accused of those crimes.
His death sparked a fierce row between Russia and the United States over alleged prison abuses and corruption. His death in custody a year later has led to a diplomatic dispute between Russia and the US.
Last year the US passed the Magnitsky Act, which blacklists Russian officials accused of human rights violations.Last year the US passed the Magnitsky Act, which blacklists Russian officials accused of human rights violations.
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a Russian law barring Americans from adopting Russian orphans.In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a Russian law barring Americans from adopting Russian orphans.
It is believed to be the first time in Soviet or Russian history that a defendant has been tried posthumously. Mr Magnitsky represented London-based Hermitage Capital Management. He uncovered what he described as a web of corruption involving Russian tax officials, including the alleged theft of more than $200m (£125m).
Mr Magnitsky represented London-based Hermitage Capital Management (HCM). He uncovered what he described as a web of corruption involving Russian tax officials, including the alleged theft of more than $200m (£125m).
After reporting the allegations to the authorities, he was himself detained on suspicion of aiding tax evasion.After reporting the allegations to the authorities, he was himself detained on suspicion of aiding tax evasion.
US-born fund manager Bill Browder, who runs Hermitage Capital, spearheaded efforts in the US to put pressure on Russia over the Magnitsky case. Mr Browder was a major investor in Russia before Mr Magnitsky's arrest.US-born fund manager Bill Browder, who runs Hermitage Capital, spearheaded efforts in the US to put pressure on Russia over the Magnitsky case. Mr Browder was a major investor in Russia before Mr Magnitsky's arrest.
In December, a Moscow court acquitted a prison doctor accused of negligence over Mr Magnitsky's death.In December, a Moscow court acquitted a prison doctor accused of negligence over Mr Magnitsky's death.
He had pancreatitis, but an investigation by Russia's presidential council on human rights concluded that he had been severely beaten and denied medical treatment.He had pancreatitis, but an investigation by Russia's presidential council on human rights concluded that he had been severely beaten and denied medical treatment.