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| Russia to open posthumous Sergei Magnitsky trial | Russia to open posthumous Sergei Magnitsky trial |
| (35 minutes 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. | The late Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky is to go on trial in Moscow in a highly unusual criminal case brought against a dead defendant. |
| 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. | |
| He died in custody a year later at the age of 37. | He died in custody a year later at the age of 37. |
| His death sparked a fierce row between Russia and the United States over alleged prison abuses and corruption. | His death sparked a fierce row between Russia and the United States over alleged prison abuses and corruption. |
| 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. | 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 (HCM). 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. |