British prime minister concerned over lack of progress in Magnitsky case

RIA Novosti

British Prime Minister David Cameron has expressed his concern over a lack of progress in the investigation into the death of Russian anti-corruption lawyer Sergei Magnitsky in police custody.

Magnitsky, who was defending British investment company Hermitage Capital Management against tax evasion charges, died aged 37 in a Moscow pretrial detention facility in November 2009 after being refused medical treatment for pancreatitis. The lawyer’s death provoked uproar both in Russia and abroad.

In a letter to Hermitage Capital CEO William Browder, Cameron said he discussed the issue with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during his official visit to London in mid-February.

“I have now been briefed about the case and am deeply concerned by its implications for the rule of law and respect for human rights in Russia,” the British prime minister said. “It is of particular concern that the official investigation announced by President [Dmitry] Medvedev in November 2009 has not yet reported its findings.”

Cameron said in his letter that the British government would continue to track progress on the case ahead of his planned visit to Russia later this year.

Magnitsky’s lawyer Dmitry Kharitonov announced in mid-February that the investigation into Magnitsky’s death had been extended to May 17. There are so far no suspects, he said.

Ahead of Lavrov’s visit to London, 22 British MP’s signed an Early Day Motion calling on the British government to impose visa sanctions and to freeze the assets of Russian officials involved in Magnitsky’s death.

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