# Sergei Magnitsky > Russian tax advisor who died in police custody (1972–2009) **Wikidata**: [Q247917](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q247917) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Magnitsky) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sergei-magnitsky ## Summary Sergei Magnitsky was a Russian tax advisor and lawyer who became known posthumously for his role in exposing corruption within the Russian government. His death in police custody in 2009 after denouncing tax fraud by Russian officials led to international attention and the eventual passage of the Magnitsky Act by the U.S. Congress. ## Biography - Born: April 8, 1972 - Nationality: Russia - Education: Plekhanov Russian Economic University - Known for: Exposing corruption and dying in police custody - Employer(s): [not specified in source] - Field(s): Tax advisory, law, human rights ## Contributions Sergei Magnitsky's primary contribution was his work as a tax advisor and lawyer in Russia, where he uncovered a large-scale tax refund fraud scheme involving Russian government officials. His findings were made public through his legal complaints, which detailed the misuse of power and embezzlement by state actors. His efforts led to his imprisonment and, ultimately, his death in November 2009. His case became a symbol of systemic corruption in Russia and inspired the U.S. Magnitsky Act, a law passed to sanction individuals involved in his death and human rights abuses. ## FAQs ### What did Sergei Magnitsky do? Sergei Magnitsky was a tax advisor and lawyer who exposed a $230 million tax refund fraud scheme by Russian officials. His actions led to his arrest and subsequent death in custody, which brought global attention to corruption in Russia. ### How did Sergei Magnitsky die? Magnitsky was imprisoned in 2008 and died in police custody on November 16, 2009, after being denied medical treatment. His death was the result of untreated medical conditions and alleged torture. ### What is the Magnitsky Act? The Magnitsky Act is a U.S. law passed in 2012 that imposed sanctions on Russian officials involved in the death of Sergei Magnitsky and human rights violations. It was a direct response to his case and aimed at holding perpetrators accountable. ### What was Sergei Magnitsky's educational background? He was educated at the Plekhanov Russian Economic University, known for its focus on economics and business. ### What role did Sergei Magnitsky play in exposing corruption? He filed complaints that revealed a large-scale tax fraud scheme involving Russian officials, which led to his arrest and imprisonment. His efforts were aimed at uncovering corruption within the state apparatus. ### What happened after his death? His death in custody sparked international outrage and led to the passage of the Magnitsky Act by the U.S. Congress, which imposed sanctions on Russian officials involved in his case. ## Why They Matter Sergei Magnitsky's efforts to expose corruption and his subsequent death in custody led to significant international legal and political consequences. His case highlighted systemic issues in Russia's legal and penal systems and inspired global action through the Magnitsky Act. This law imposed sanctions on individuals involved in human rights abuses, marking a turning point in international responses to corruption and accountability. His legacy continues to influence human rights advocacy and has led to similar acts in other countries. ## Notable For - Exposing a $230 million tax fraud involving Russian officials - Inspiring the U.S. Magnitsky Act, a law that sanctions individuals involved in human rights violations - His posthumous impact on international law and human rights advocacy - Being a lawyer and tax advisor who challenged corruption in Russia - His imprisonment and death in police custody, which drew global attention ## Body ### Early Life and Education Sergei Magnitsky was born on April 8, 1972. He pursued his education at the Plekhanov Russian Economic University, which is known for its programs in economics, business, and social sciences. This institution, founded in 1907 and named after economist Georgi Plekhanov, played a formative role in his background as a tax advisor and lawyer. ### Career Magnitsky worked as a tax advisor and lawyer in Russia, focusing on financial and legal compliance. His work involved uncovering financial fraud and corruption, which ultimately led to his imprisonment. He filed legal complaints that exposed a $230 million tax refund fraud scheme by Russian officials, implicating high-ranking individuals in embezzlement and abuse of power. ### Contributions to Exposing Corruption As a lawyer and auditor, Magnitsky uncovered significant financial discrepancies in the operations of the Russian government. His findings were based on his role as a tax advisor, where he identified systemic corruption involving state actors. He filed formal complaints that detailed the misuse of power and embezzlement, which led to his arrest in 2008. ### Imprisonment and Death Magnitsky was imprisoned in 2008 and died in police custody on November 16, 2009. His death was attributed to a lack of medical treatment and alleged torture while in custody. His case drew international attention to the conditions of Russian prisons and the treatment of whistleblowers. ### Legacy and the Magnitsky Act The Magnitsky Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 2012, was a direct result of his death. The act imposed sanctions on Russian officials involved in human rights violations and his death. This law was a significant step in international human rights advocacy and has inspired similar legislation in other countries. ### Influence on Human Rights Magnitsky's case highlighted the need for international action against corruption and human rights abuses. His legacy continues to influence global policy, with the Magnitsky Act serving as a precedent for holding individuals accountable for their actions. His efforts have led to increased scrutiny of human rights practices in Russia and have inspired similar acts in other countries, including the UK and EU. ### Publications and Advocacy Although Magnitsky did not publish extensively, his legal complaints and findings were instrumental in exposing corruption. His work led to increased awareness of systemic issues in Russia and sparked international debate on human rights and accountability. ### Personal Life Sergei Magnitsky was a Russian national who worked in the field of tax advisory and law. His educational background in economics and business, combined with his role as a lawyer, enabled him to uncover financial fraud. His efforts to expose corruption led to his imprisonment and subsequent death, which drew international attention to the issue. ### Legal and Professional Affiliations Magnitsky was affiliated with Plekhanov Russian Economic University, where he studied economics and business. His work as a tax advisor involved auditing and legal compliance, which led to his discovery of financial fraud. His findings were reported to the authorities, which ultimately led to his arrest and imprisonment. ### Impact on International Law The Magnitsky Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 2012, was a direct result of his death. The act imposed sanctions on Russian officials involved in human rights violations and his death. This law was a significant step in international human rights advocacy and has inspired similar legislation in other countries. ### Awards and Recognition Although Magnitsky did not receive awards during his lifetime, his legacy has been recognized posthumously through the passage of the Magnitsky Act and similar legislation in other countries. His efforts to expose corruption and his subsequent death have drawn international attention to human rights issues in Russia. His case has inspired global action to hold individuals accountable for their actions. ### Field of Work Magnitsky's field of work included tax advisory, law, and auditing. His expertise in these areas enabled him to uncover financial fraud and corruption, which led to his imprisonment and death. His work has had a lasting impact on international human rights advocacy and has inspired global action to hold individuals accountable for their actions. ### Employer(s) Magnitsky worked as a tax advisor and lawyer in Russia, focusing on financial and legal compliance. His work involved uncovering financial fraud and corruption, which ultimately led to his imprisonment. His findings were reported to the authorities, which led to his arrest and imprisonment. ### Citizenship and Nationality Sergei Magnitsky was a Russian national, born in 1972. His work as a tax advisor and lawyer in Russia led to his discovery of financial fraud and corruption. His efforts to expose corruption ultimately led to his imprisonment and death, which drew international attention to human rights issues in Russia. ### Education Magnitsky was educated at the Plekhanov Russian Economic University, which is known for its programs in economics, business, and social sciences. His education in these areas enabled him to uncover financial fraud and corruption, which led to his imprisonment and death. ### Death and Legacy Magnitsky died in police custody in 2009 after being denied medical treatment. His death was attributed to a lack of medical care and alleged torture while in custody. His case drew international attention to the conditions of Russian prisons and the treatment of whistleblowers. ### Influence on Policy The Magnitsky Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 2012, was a direct result of his death. The act imposed sanctions on Russian officials involved in human rights violations and his death. This law was a significant step in international human rights advocacy and has inspired similar legislation in other countries. ### Human Rights Advocacy Magnitsky's case highlighted the need for international action against corruption and human rights abuses. His legacy continues to influence global policy, with the Magnitsky Act serving as a precedent for holding individuals accountable for their actions. His efforts have led to increased scrutiny of human rights practices in Russia and have inspired similar acts in other countries, including the UK and EU. ### Publications Although Magnitsky did not publish extensively, his legal complaints and findings were instrumental in exposing corruption. His work led to increased awareness of systemic issues in Russia and sparked international debate on human rights and accountability. ### Legal Complaints Magnitsky filed complaints that exposed a $230 million tax refund fraud scheme by Russian officials. His findings were based on his role as a tax advisor, where he identified systemic corruption involving state actors. He filed formal complaints that detailed the misuse of power and embezzlement, which led to his arrest in 2008. ### Imprisonment Magnitsky was imprisoned in 2008 and died in police custody on November 16, 2009. His death was attributed to a lack of medical treatment and alleged torture while in custody. His case drew international attention to the conditions of Russian prisons and the treatment of whistleblowers. ### Awards Although Magnitsky did not receive awards during his lifetime, his legacy has been recognized posthumously through the passage of the Magnitsky Act and similar legislation in other countries. His efforts to expose corruption and his subsequent death have drawn international attention to human rights issues in Russia. ### Legacy Magnitsky's efforts to expose corruption and his subsequent death in custody led to significant international legal and political consequences. His case became a symbol of systemic corruption in Russia and inspired the U.S. Magnitsky Act, a law that sanctions individuals involved in his death and human rights abuses. His legacy continues to influence human rights advocacy and has led to similar acts in other countries. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. Czech National Authority Database 3. Virtual International Authority File 4. Lentapedia 5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 6. IdRef 7. [Source](https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/29/world/europe/29russia.html)