Stop the Untouchables. Justice for Sergei Magnitsky.

Magnitsky trial: Russia accused of ‘travesty’ over dead lawyer

BBC

“Absurd” and “a travesty” are some of the words used to describe Russia’s trial of the dead lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, set to open on 22 March.

The European Parliament says the trial “is a violation of international and national laws and clearly shows the malfunctioning of the Russian criminal justice system”.

The Russian interior ministry has accused Mr Magnitsky and the UK-based fund manager who employed him, Bill Browder, of tax evasion. Mr Browder will also be tried – but in absentia, because he believes his life would be in danger were he to return to Russia.

According to a ministry official, Boris Kibis, the Magnitsky case remains open because there has been no request from his relatives to halt it.

Legal experts contacted by the BBC said they could find no parallels for the Magnitsky trial – whether in Russia or internationally. They say there are dubious legal grounds for such a case.