PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Distribution
8 November 2013 – The Russian Investigative Committee has informed U.S.
lawyer Jamison Firestone, Sergei Magnitsky’s former law partner, that it
found no grounds to prosecute Olga Stepanova, the former head of Moscow Tax
Office No 28, and the person who approved the majority of the $230 million
illegal tax refund uncovered by the late Sergei Magnitsky. The Russian
Investigative Committee has exonerated all other tax officials involved in
approving the fraudulent tax refunds which cost Sergei Magnitsky his life
for exposing.
“No evidence was obtained which is sufficient to charge O.G. Stepanova or
other persons under Articles 286 or 285 of the Russian Criminal Code
[overstepping authority or abuse of authority],” the Investigative
Committee reported in their letter.
The Investigative Committee also said that it failed to question a number
of witnesses.
“The investigative actions that are possible without an accused, have been
completed except for a series of questioning of witnesses whose whereabouts
have not been established,” said the Investigative Committee in its letter.
Earlier, the Russian authorities informed Jamison Firestone that they were
not able to question two of Ms Stepanova’s deputies, Ms Olga Tsareva and Ms
Elena Anisimova, because they had left the country. These were the same
people who purchased luxury apartments in Dubai, along with Ms Stepanova’s
ex husband Vladlen Stepanov, shortly after the approval of the illegal $230
million refund in December 2007.
Jamison Firestone filed a complaint seeking a criminal investigation to be
opened into the tax officials, including head of Moscow Tax Office No 28
Olga Stepanova, on 15 April 2011, two years and a half ago. In his
complaint, Mr Firestone cited evidence of their role in the approval of the
fraudulent $230 million refund, and the use of illicit proceeds for foreign
real estate purchases. During this time, the Investigative Committee has
refused to conduct a proper investigation, and now informed him that they
have effectively exonerated all the tax officials involved. Earlier, the
investigative department of the Russian Interior Ministry informed Jamison
Firestone that they also found no evidence of wrong-doing by the tax
officials. Appeals to the General Prosecutor’s Office seeking to compel a
proper investigation of tax officials in the Magnitsky case have been
refused.
“All branches of the Russian law enforcement with direct supervision from
the Russian General Prosecutor’s Office have exonerated the tax officials
who were clearly involved in one of the largest refund frauds in Russian
history. This can only be explained that the cover up is ordered and
approved at the highest level of the Russian government,” said a Hermitage
Capital representative.
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