The news of the first independent report to examine the death of Hermitage lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who spent a year in prison without charges while being denied medical treatment, has shocked the Russian public and become a major matter of concentration for the local media.  The authors state in no uncertain terms that they believe that Magnitsky was subjected to psychological and physical pressure which resulted in his death.  The authors also cite the many lies of the authorities during the aftermath, including the denials that they had received his requests and complaints for medical assistance. 

In response to the unexpected public outrage over Magnitsky, the government is taking some unprecedented steps, such as admitting fault, firing scores of top prison officials, and as reported in today’s press – President Medvedev has also called for a ban on jail sentences for tax evaders and other types of economic crimes (meaning in theory he should release Khodorkovsky & Lebedev, but no one thinks that will happen).  What the government has not done, however, is venture anywhere close to the question of WHY Magnitsky was murdered, and WHO was asking that he be tortured to cover up the theft.  Until the prosecutors and the thieves in government they represent behind the case are roped into the investigations, everything else is just window dressing.

The devastating 20-page report published by the Moscow Public Oversight Commission, chaired by the esteemed Valery Borshev, is now available in English right here.  Below are the conclusions from the report.