Mr Browder, who runs Hermitage Capital Management, is to be tried in absentia.

BBC: Magnitsky case: Russia accuses Browder over Gazprom

His colleagues at the firm, London-based Hermitage Capital Management, say the case against him was fabricated to make him halt his investigations.

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Mr Magnitsky represented London-based Hermitage Capital Management.

BBC: Russia postpones hearing in posthumous Magnitsky case

Magnitsky represented London-based Hermitage Capital Management (HCM).

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According to the hedge fund and investor Hermitage Capital Management, between 1997 and 2001 the company lost 10% of its gas reserves via share dilution to partners in various joint ventures, totaling an amount equal to Exxon's entire reserves at the time.

FORBES: Energy Tsar