E.L. (Edward Lucas), European Voice, Eastern Approaches | LONDON
SINCE Sergei Magnitsky died in prison in Moscow on November 16th, 2009, his case has come to exemplify the abuse of power in Russia (or in the eyes of the Russian authorities, the hypocrisy and grandstanding of the West). Mr Magnitsky worked for a law firm called Firestone Duncan, which represented Bill Browder, a big foreign investor who had fallen foul of the Kremlin. Mr Magnitsky uncovered a scandal involving a $230m tax refund, obtained following the takeover and bankrupting of Mr Browder's companies. A new video, part of Mr Browder's unflagging campaign on the issue, contains the latest startling allegations about the background to the alleged fraud (those named have either made no public comment or strenously denied wrongdoing). He showed it on July 5th to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which is meeting in Monaco.
The opposition activist Alexei Navalny is also championing the Magnitsky cause. He wrote in the Times (full article behind paywall) that Britain should copy America, where both houses of Congress are supporting a bill that would deny entry to the 60 officials that Mr Browder says were involved in the persecution of Mr Magnitsky, or the fraud he uncovered.
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