The trial of a whistle-blowing lawyer who died in custody is set to resume in Moscow after a postponement requested by the defense.
Sergei Magnitsky was arrested shortly after accusing state officials of a $230 million theft and died in 2009 in pretrial detention after nearly a year in jail on suspicion of tax fraud.
His death sparked an international outcry and caused tensions between Washington and Moscow.
Magnitsky worked for the London-based investment fund Hermitage Capital.
Hermitage owner William Browder is being tried in absentia along with his former employee.
Last year, the United States passed legislation -- known as the Magnitsky Act -- to punish officials linked to his death as well as other Russians deemed to have committed rights abuses.
Russia subsequently introduced a ban on all adoptions of Russian children by U.S. citizens.
On March 19, Russia dropped its investigation into Magnitsky's death.
A number of the people Magnitsky implicated in his corruption allegations have subsequently been promoted.
Amnesty International says that by trying a dead man, Russia is setting a "dangerous precedent."
The trial was opened and quickly adjourned on March 11.
Sergei Magnitsky was arrested shortly after accusing state officials of a $230 million theft and died in 2009 in pretrial detention after nearly a year in jail on suspicion of tax fraud.
His death sparked an international outcry and caused tensions between Washington and Moscow.
Magnitsky worked for the London-based investment fund Hermitage Capital.
Hermitage owner William Browder is being tried in absentia along with his former employee.
Last year, the United States passed legislation -- known as the Magnitsky Act -- to punish officials linked to his death as well as other Russians deemed to have committed rights abuses.
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Russia subsequently introduced a ban on all adoptions of Russian children by U.S. citizens.
On March 19, Russia dropped its investigation into Magnitsky's death.
A number of the people Magnitsky implicated in his corruption allegations have subsequently been promoted.
Amnesty International says that by trying a dead man, Russia is setting a "dangerous precedent."
The trial was opened and quickly adjourned on March 11.
