By Jason Corcoran in Moscow
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered prosecutors to investigate the death of the Hermitage Capital lawyer Sergei Magnitsky who died eight days ago in custody.
A report issued this afternoon by the news agency Itar-Tass said Medvedev has issued an instruction to Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika and Justice Minister Alexander Konovalov to conduct a detailed investigation into the circumstances of the death of Magnitsky on November 16.
Medvedev also asked officials to analyse the practice of placing people in custody who commit economic crimes for the first time and to consider improvements in legislation in that area.
A statement from the Kremlin said Medvedev had taken on board concerns from a presidential council on human rights before ordering prosecutors to look into the case.
Magnitsky, 37, died eight days ago at Matrosskaya Tishina detention centre while awaiting trial for conspiracy. He was arrested almost a year ago after accusing senior officers in the Interior Ministry of taking part in the theft of companies owned by Hermitage and HSBC. He was refused bail and spent almost a year in prison, during which time he was denied medical treatment and the right to see his family.
Lawyers for Magnitsky said they feared crucial evidence regarding the circumstances of his death may have been destroyed. They said hand-written diaries and notes kept by Magnitsky have already gone missing.
Press Release: Investigation into the Death of Sergey Magnitskiy Must be Public
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Display images below - Always display images from katie.fisher@hermitagefund.com PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Investigation into the Death of Sergey Magnitskiy Must be Public 24 November 2009 – Today, President Medvedev announced an investigation into the death of anti-corruption lawyer, Sergey Magnitskiy, who died in suspicious circumstances at a Moscow prison. Mr Magnitskiy was arrested and persecuted by Russian Interior Ministry officials, against whom he had testified about their involvement in large scale corruption. “Sergey Magnitskiy’s death is a tragedy that has touched everyone,” said William Browder, CEO of Hermitage Capital. “Sergey Magnitskiy gave his life for the ideals he believed in. He was a brave and honourable man who believed in the rule of law in Russia. It is everyone’s responsibility to make sure that the same tragedy can never be repeated. Until today, there has been a complete cover up of the crimes by police officials Sergey exposed, indicating there will be great pressure to cover up the circumstances leading to his death. The investigation into his death must be carried out openly, publicly and transparently. ” Jamison Firestone, head of the law firm where Mr Magnitskiy worked said: “Over 35 complaints have been submitted regarding police participation in the theft from the budget which Sergey Magnitskiy uncovered and reported. In each case these complaints have been investigated by the very same Interior Ministry officials who were involved in the crimes and who later arrested Magnitskiy. The same cover up should not be allowed to occur with President Medvedev’s investigation. The perpetrators of state theft uncovered by Sergey Magnitskiy are the same people who are responsible for his death and they must be brought to justice.” On 18 November, Sergey’s lawyers requested the Prosecutor’s Office to open an investigation into his death. For five days no action was taken. Sergey’s lawyers are concerned that in the meantime crucial evidence regarding the circumstances leading to his death may have been destroyed. An indication of this is that many hand-written diaries and notes, kept by Sergey in prison have already gone missing. Sergey Magnitskiy had been detained on fabricated charges without trial for a year and died on 16 November 2009. For more information: http://www.lawandorderinrussia.org info@hermitagefund.com+44 20 7440 1777
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