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Court upholds case against 2 medics accused of Magnitsky's death

Investigators ascertained the identity of all the culprits in the 5.4-billion-rouble theft case, Sergei Magnitsky included

MOSCOW, December 8 (Itar-Tass) — Moscow's Basmanny court on Thursday upheld a separate case against two of the medical personnel of the Butyrka remand prison accused of the death of Hermitage Capital Management consultant Sergei Magnitsky.

The court refused to consider the complaint by a lawyer of Magnitsky's relatives, who insist that separate proceedings against medics and concealment of the circumstances of the crime are illegal.

Sergei Magnitsky, 37, died in an IT ward of the hospital on the premises of the Matrosskaya Tishina remand prison on November 16, 2009, seven days after he was officially charged with organizing and abetting grand tax evasion. He had spent 11 months in custody.

Forensic experts said Magnitsky had died of a combination of several illnesses, and untimely medical assistance as his health sharply deteriorated.

Dmitry Kratov, who was deputy head of Butyrka's infirmary in 2009, was charged with negligence that result in a person's death. Larisa Litvinova, a Butyrka doctor and laboratory assistant, was charged with negligent death due to improper performance of her professional duties.

"The investigation into the main criminal case has not been completed, and in the event the identity of other persons involved in causing Magnitsky's death is ascertained, they will be arraigned for the commission of these crimes," the Investigative Committee assured.

Investigators ascertained the identity of all the culprits in the 5.4-billion-rouble theft case, Sergei Magnitsky included, head of the Interior Ministry’s' investigation department Col Pavel Lapshov told a news conference on Thursday.

"The identity of six persons has been established; this list is complete. Two have been convicted, and accomplices directly testified against Magnitsky as a person who committed the theft," Lapshov said.

Four accomplices, including Magnitsky, died under different circumstances. Magnitsky was not charged with the theft because of his death, the official added.