Over the years on this blog we have dedicated considerable coverage to what we perceive as a war against lawyers occurring in Russia, ranging from Boris Kuznetsov, to the jailing of Svetlana Bakhmina, the medical blackmail of Vasily Aleksanyan, the shooting of Stanislav Markelov (who used to be a guest contributor here), the murder by torture of Sergei Magnitsky, and several other instances.

The most recent individual to be featured in the news as he was forced to flee the country for his own safety is 44-year-old Jamison Firestone, a founding partner of Firestone Duncan, a law firm active in Russia since 1991.  Firestone Duncan was the law firm where Sergei Magnitsky had been employed prior to his arrest, torture, and death in prison as related to the multi-million dollar fraud thefts against their clients. So although the murder of Magnitsky seized the world’s attention and outraged many Russian citizens, Firestone’s requests for justice went unanswered, and after publishing numerous materials alleging those responsible for these thefts and acts of violence, the machinery of the corrupt police turned against him, stealing the corporate charters and stamps, and seeking to get another unprecedented tax rebate in the name of a company he directs – the same methodology used against Hermitage.

I had the opportunity to catch up with Mr. Firestone by telephone today for a quick interview.  What follows is a rough transcript of our conversation.