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Russia drops Magnitsky prison death probe | Russia drops Magnitsky prison death probe |
(35 minutes later) | |
Russian detectives are dropping their investigation into the death in prison of the lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky. | Russian detectives are dropping their investigation into the death in prison of the lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky. |
The Investigative Committee said no crime was committed against him. He was detained in 2008 after revealing alleged an embezzlement scam by interior ministry officials. | |
His family and the Presidential Human Rights Council say he was badly beaten and denied medical treatment. | His family and the Presidential Human Rights Council say he was badly beaten and denied medical treatment. |
Despite his death, he is himself being put on trial for fraud. | |
The Investigative Committee, the Russian equivalent of the FBI in the US, said Magnitsky had been legally arrested and legally detained and that he had not been tortured. | The Investigative Committee, the Russian equivalent of the FBI in the US, said Magnitsky had been legally arrested and legally detained and that he had not been tortured. |
"Based on the preliminary investigation's results, a decision was taken to end the criminal case due to a lack of evidence of a crime," the Committee said. | "Based on the preliminary investigation's results, a decision was taken to end the criminal case due to a lack of evidence of a crime," the Committee said. |
Magnitsky, who died at the age of 37 in pre-trial detention after developing pancreatitis, was arrested after testifying that interior ministry officials, with organised criminals, had used the UK-based investment fund Hermitage Capital to embezzle $230m (£150m) by filing false corporate tax returns. | Magnitsky, who died at the age of 37 in pre-trial detention after developing pancreatitis, was arrested after testifying that interior ministry officials, with organised criminals, had used the UK-based investment fund Hermitage Capital to embezzle $230m (£150m) by filing false corporate tax returns. |
In December, a Moscow court acquitted a prison doctor accused of negligence over the lawyer's death. Dmitry Kratov had argued that he was unable to ensure medical care because of a shortage of staff. | In December, a Moscow court acquitted a prison doctor accused of negligence over the lawyer's death. Dmitry Kratov had argued that he was unable to ensure medical care because of a shortage of staff. |
Posthumous trial | Posthumous trial |
Magnitsky himself was accused of helping Hermitage Capital evade $17.4m (£11.7m) in taxes and is now being tried posthumously. The next hearing is due on 22 March. | Magnitsky himself was accused of helping Hermitage Capital evade $17.4m (£11.7m) in taxes and is now being tried posthumously. The next hearing is due on 22 March. |
It is said to be the first posthumous trial in Russian legal history and has sparked criticism from the European Union and the United States. | It is said to be the first posthumous trial in Russian legal history and has sparked criticism from the European Union and the United States. |
The executive director of Hermitage Capital, Bill Browder, who employed Magnitsky, is also being tried, in absentia. He has described fraud charges filed against him as an "absurdity". | The executive director of Hermitage Capital, Bill Browder, who employed Magnitsky, is also being tried, in absentia. He has described fraud charges filed against him as an "absurdity". |
The case has strained relations between Russia and the US, with Washington passing the Magnitsky Act, which blacklists Russian officials accused of involvement in his death. | The case has strained relations between Russia and the US, with Washington passing the Magnitsky Act, which blacklists Russian officials accused of involvement in his death. |
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. |
A lawyer for Magnitsky's mother said he intended to appeal in court against the decision to drop the investigation into her son's death. | A lawyer for Magnitsky's mother said he intended to appeal in court against the decision to drop the investigation into her son's death. |
The decision will cause outrage among Sergei Magnitsky's supporters, who are already disgusted that he is being put on trial, says the BBC's Daniel Sandford in Moscow. | The decision will cause outrage among Sergei Magnitsky's supporters, who are already disgusted that he is being put on trial, says the BBC's Daniel Sandford in Moscow. |
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