 Source: HRO.org (info) Sergei Magnitsky's widow Natalya Zharikova has appealed to all those involved in the posthumous trial of her husband to act in accordance with conscience. "I declare that I regard the posthumous trial of my husband, Sergei Magnitsky, which begins on 11 March in the Tver Court in Moscow, as an insult to his memory," Natalya Zharikova was quoted as saying by Kasparov.Ru. According to her, there are no legal grounds for the trial which runs counter to generally recognised norms of law and human values. "I believe that any participants in the proceedings who have a conscience – and they are crucial, not just in terms of human morality, but also in Russian criminal law – have a responsibility to refuse to have anything to do with this abomination," added Magnitsky's widow. On Monday 11 March the judge adjourned the hearing to 22 March owing to the failure of Magnitsky and William Browder's lawyers to appear in court. The defence lawyers had asked for a deferral in order for them to familiarise themselves with the case materials, saying that they had studied only 5 of 60 volumes. Earlier, Sergei Magnitsky's mother appealed to the Moscow lawyers not to participate in the new posthumous trial against her son. Sergei Magnitsky was accused of tax evasion following his discovery that members of law enforcement agencies had embezzled 5.4 billion roubles from the Russian budget. The case against Magnitsky was discontinued after his death in the Matrosskaya Tishina pre-trial detention centre, but an investigation was later reopened. A criminal case has been initiated in Russia against William Browder, head of the Hermitage Capital investment fund, where Magnitsky worked. It is being held in absentia as the UK, of which Browder is a citizen, has refused to cooperate with Russia on the issue. |
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