Sergei L. Magnitsky was convicted yesterday of tax evasion by a Russian court. Mr. Magnitsky was a lawyer: his client, William F. Browder, was convicted as well.
This isn’t ordinarily the sort of thing I’d bring up, but there are a couple of interesting points:
- Mr. Magnitsky was a prominent critic of the Russian government, and was arrested shortly after he accused officials of stealing $230 million in government funds.
- Both Mr. Magnitsky and Mr. Browder were convicted in absentia. Mr. Browder is currently in London.
- Mr. Magnitsky was convicted in absentia because he’s dead. He died four years ago in prison, after being refused medical care.
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