Kratov Acquittal in Magnitsky’s Death Case is a Total Miscarriage of Justice

December 28, 2012

Today Judge Tatiana Neverova of Tverskoi District Court of Moscow acquitted Dmitry Kratov, former deputy head of Butyrka in charge of medical care finding no evidence of negligence in his actions leading to the death of Sergei Magnitsky.

Dmitry Kratov was the only person on the list of 60 Officials published by the U.S. Helsinki Commission for their role in the Magnitsky case who has been on trial.

«Not a single official responsible for Sergei Magnitsky’s false arrest, torture and death or the crimes he had unovered have been prosecuted by the Russian authorities,» said a Hermitage Capital representative.

“There is no doubt that people responsible for Magnitsky’s death are being protected by the President of Russia. Russia normally has a 99% conviction rate. In this case, there was overwhelming evidence of Kratov’s involvement and his acquittal goes against any logic or concept of justice.”

This decision comes seven days after President Putin publicly directed his government to essentially exonerate any official involved by saying that “no one tortured Magnitsky and he died of heart failure”. Four days later, the prosecutor changed the course of the proceeding and in an unprecedented action for a state prosecutor, he asked for the acquittal in spite of previously presenting evidence of criminal conduct by Kratov.

«Now that President Putin is personally involved in the obstruction of justice in a major case of extra-judicial killing, he will have to face the consequences for his actions,» said a Hermitage Capital representative.

The mother of Sergei Magnitsky and her representative boycotted today’s hearing.

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