All news

In case of arrest in absentia head of Hermitage Capital William Browder to be put on international wanted list

As was reported by the press centre of the Russian Interior Ministry

MOSCOW, April 17 (Itar-Tass) – In the event of his arrest in absentia head of Hermitage Capital William Browder will be put on the international wanted list, the press centre of the Russian Interior Ministry (MVD) told Itar-Tass.

“In connection with the fact that defendant William Browder is evading the investigation failing to appear, despite the fact that he was notified of this necessity in various ways, the investigation requested the court to consider the issue of the use for him of the restraint measure – arrest in absentia,” the MVD press centre said.

“If the court supports this motion, the mechanism for putting Browder on the international wanted list will be activated, the ministry’s press centre informed.

CEO of the Hermitage Capital Management investment fund - British citizen William Browder is accused in Russia of tax evasion worth over 522 million roubles (Article 199, part 2 of the RF Criminal Code). According to the investigation, he is accused of falsification of tax returns and illegal use of benefits for the disabled. The RF Interior Ministry also suspects Browder of involvement in the theft of Gazprom shares, in connection with which a separate criminal case was opened.

Spokesperson for the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office Marina Gridneva told Itar-Tass earlier that criminal proceedings against Browder are conducted “in absentia because he defaults, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the citizen of which is the accused has refused from international legal cooperation with Russia on this issue.”