Support The Moscow Times!

Suspect in Magnitsky Case Gets Light Sentence

A businessman linked by lawyer Sergei Magnitsky to a multibillion-ruble embezzlement scheme has been handed a minimum sentence and not asked to pay anything back.

Vyacheslav Khlebnikov, who the Investigative Committee said in January is a businessman with a criminal record, has been sentenced to five years in prison for embezzlement, Magnitsky’s employer, Hermitage Capital, said in an e-mailed statement Wednesday.

Khlebnikov pleaded guilty, allowing Moscow’s Tverskoi District Court to fast-track the closed-door trial and not examine any evidence, the statement said.

Hermitage demanded that the trial be open and evidence be considered because this could expose other people involved in the case, but the court ignored the request.

Contrary to regular practice in embezzlement cases, the state did sue Khlebnikov for damages, the statement said, adding that his suspected accomplice Viktor Markelov, a “sawmill worker,” received similar leniency at another closed trial earlier.

Repeated calls to the court’s press office went unanswered Wednesday.

Magnitsky claimed Khlebnikov was involved in a scheme established by Interior Ministry officers to steal 5.4 billion rubles from the federal budget. Khlebnikov was likely a low-ranking pawn in the purported scheme, Hermitage said Wednesday.

Hermitage was itself hit with tax claims that it said were fabricated by the Interior Ministry officials whom Magnitsky was accusing. Magnitsky was arrested in 2008 on tax charges and died in pretrial detention a year later of health problems. His supporters say he was intentionally denied treatment.

Khlebnikov testified against Hermitage in November, Interfax reported Wednesday, without elaborating.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysiss and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more