Russian Senators: Magnitsky's Detention Was Lawful

The arrest of Hermitage Capital auditor Sergei Magnitsky and the decision to hold him in custody were lawful; however the circumstances surrounding his death and the reasons for which he was denied medical aid must be scrupulously investigated, according to a report on a preliminary parliamentary investigation presented in Washington by a group of Federation Council members. The materials used for the investigation, copies of interrogation records, the autopsy report and official correspondence of the penitentiary service were distributed to U.S. senators, members of Congress and State Department officials. Meanwhile, the report states that this investigation should have no bearing on the investigation into Hermitage Capital, which has been accused in Russia of tax evasion, misappropriation of public funds and cooperation with Magnitsky. Russian senators have also presented a detailed report on the Hermitage Capital case to their U.S. colleagues, which discusses the company’s alleged illegal activities.  Magnitsky was charged with masterminding large-scale corporate tax evasion for Hermitage. He died in a Moscow pretrial detention center on November 16, 2009 after spending a year behind bars. His death sparked a public outcry and triggered amendments to the Criminal Code and a reshuffling of officials in the penal system.

http://www.rapsinews.com/judicial_news/20120712/263769870.html