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| A tombstone on the grave of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who died in jail, at a cemetery in Moscow, November 2012. |
In Russia, a court has convicted dead lawyer Sergei Magnitsky of tax evasion.
In what looked like a sort of Stalin-esque show trial, Magnitsky was convicted of tax evasion charges, though he has been dead for nearly four years.
The whistleblower worked as an attorney for Russia's largest western investment fund, Hermitage Capital. Magnitsky said he had uncovered a massive scheme by interior ministry officials to fraudulently receive refunds for $230 million in taxes paid for by that firm.
In 2008, Magnitsky was arrested for tax evasion by the same officials he accused of tax fraud. A year later, he died in jail at age 37 of pancreatitis. An investigation by Russia's Human Rights Council found that Magnitsky was denied medical treatment and severely beaten.
Imposing visa ban
As a result, the United States passed the Magnitsky Act. The legislation imposes a visa ban and financial sanctions on Russians accused of violating human rights. In response, Russia passed a law banning Americans from adopting Russian children.
In July 2011, Russia's Constitutional Court made it possible to try deceased people. Russian officials say this allows families of late defendants to seek exoneration.
Kirill Kabanov is head of Russia's Anti-Corruption committee. Speaking on state-run television, Kabanov said Magnitsky's case is of great importance.
Kabanov said this case is such a big deal because Magnitsky exposed a huge scandal and named those who were involved.
Retribution beyond grave
Magnitsky's lawyers and family have called the posthumous trial absurd, saying that no one will benefit from the verdict.
Critics say that the conviction shows that anyone, either alive or dead, who speaks out against the Kremlin, could face charges.
Russian judge Igor Alisov said, in announcing his verdict, that Magnitsky masterminded a massive tax evasion scheme.
In what looked like a sort of Stalin-esque show trial, Magnitsky was convicted of tax evasion charges, though he has been dead for nearly four years.
The whistleblower worked as an attorney for Russia's largest western investment fund, Hermitage Capital. Magnitsky said he had uncovered a massive scheme by interior ministry officials to fraudulently receive refunds for $230 million in taxes paid for by that firm.
In 2008, Magnitsky was arrested for tax evasion by the same officials he accused of tax fraud. A year later, he died in jail at age 37 of pancreatitis. An investigation by Russia's Human Rights Council found that Magnitsky was denied medical treatment and severely beaten.
Imposing visa ban
As a result, the United States passed the Magnitsky Act. The legislation imposes a visa ban and financial sanctions on Russians accused of violating human rights. In response, Russia passed a law banning Americans from adopting Russian children.
In July 2011, Russia's Constitutional Court made it possible to try deceased people. Russian officials say this allows families of late defendants to seek exoneration.
Kirill Kabanov is head of Russia's Anti-Corruption committee. Speaking on state-run television, Kabanov said Magnitsky's case is of great importance.
Kabanov said this case is such a big deal because Magnitsky exposed a huge scandal and named those who were involved.
Retribution beyond grave
Magnitsky's lawyers and family have called the posthumous trial absurd, saying that no one will benefit from the verdict.
Critics say that the conviction shows that anyone, either alive or dead, who speaks out against the Kremlin, could face charges.
Russian judge Igor Alisov said, in announcing his verdict, that Magnitsky masterminded a massive tax evasion scheme.
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