ADVERTISEMENT

Anti-Kremlin activist blocked from US

Browder, a Briton based in London, said this move was in retaliation for his support of Canada's passage last week of its "Sergei Magnitsky Law", which targets Russian officials for human rights violations and is named for a former employee of Browder who died in a Russian prison after exposing massive corruption.

"Putin adds me to Interpol wanted list in retaliation for passage of Canadian Magnitsky Act," he tweeted.

"Unless Interpol lifts this notice, I will be arrested at any international border I cross on Putin's orders," Browder added.

Browder, head hedge-fund manager at Hermitage Capital Management, said that as a consequence his "Global Entry" membership for expedited immigration into the United States had been revoked and there were "problems" with his visa.

ADVERTISEMENT

Browder said it was the fifth time Moscow had tried to place his name on an Interpol warning list. This time was successful, he said, because they put him on a less rigorously vetted "diffusion notice" which can alert other countries of a wanted person's location or request the person's arrest.

A US official suggested this may have automatically sparked warnings in US immigration systems, preventing Browder from traveling.

Browder has led the global campaign for justice for Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who was jailed in 2008 after revealing massive fraud by Russian officials. Magnitsky spent 11 months in squalid prisons and died on November 16, 2009.

Pushed by Browder, in 2012 the US Congress passed the Magnitsky Act, which has allowed Washington to slap tough sanctions on more than 40 senior Russian officials, many with links to Putin, for their roles in the fraud Magnitsky exposed, its coverup, and his imprisonment.

The sanctions can block those named from visiting the United States, and lock them out of the US banking system, which can hinder their financial transactions around the world.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Kremlin has been particularly unhappy about the Magnitsky sanctions. In June 2016 Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya offered officials of Donald Trump's presidential campaign negative information about his rival Hillary Clinton in order to gain a meeting with them to lobby for support to repeal the Magnitsky Act.

On Monday the New York Times reported that Moscow prosecutors are now trying to build a case that Browder himself murdered Magnitsky.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT