William Browder of Hermitage Capital was once one of Russia’s most enthusiastic supporters for foreign investment.  He was also an advocate for stronger corporate governance, shareholder and property rights, and transparency.  Unfortunately, under the current government, these two interests collided tragically.  Browder, whose case of persecution is documented in the recent Council of Europe report on Russia’s politicized justice system, has authored a devastating opinion article in the Financial Times today.

Foreign investors get ripped off all the time in many countries. What makes this story unique is the state officials working together to steal $230m from the Russian state itself. The sharks have started to feed on their own blood.