Russia Magnitsky case Dead lawyer trial due to open

BBC
Sunday 10th March, 2013

The trial of a dead lawyer is due to begin in Russia, despite criticism from the US and the European Parliament.

Sergei Magnitsky died in prison in 2009 after accusing officials of falsely claiming a tax rebate of $230m (150m).

He was arrested after some of the officials accused him of the same offence.

It is believed to be the first time in Russian or Soviet history that a defendant will have been tried posthumously.

Mr Magnitsky’s colleagues say the case against him was fabricated to make him stop his investigation into a number of high-profile corrupt officials.

His family and lawyers refused to attend last week’s pre-trial hearing saying the case was politically motivated.

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