Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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I welcome Mr. William Browder, who is present regarding the case of Mr. Sergei Magnitsky. As members know, Mr. Magnitsky died in police custody in Moscow in November, 2009. This was alarming and gave rise to many disturbing questions over the circumstances of his death that have not been properly answered. On the contrary, subsequent investigations by Russian authorities and their decision to prosecute Mr. Magnitsky on tax evasion charges, even after his death, call into question whether fundamental human rights are being respected in this case.

Mr. William Browder has been present from early today raising issues with other Members of Parliament, including the Council of Europe and the OSCE. He is raising awareness of the case and seeking justice for Mr. Magnitsky, who as a lawyer advised Mr. Browder’s company, Hermitage Capital Management.

Before he makes his presentation I advise Mr. Browder that he is protected by absolute privilege in respect of utterances at the committee. However, if he is directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and he continues to so do, he is entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of his remarks. He is directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of the meeting is to be given and he is asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, he should not criticise or make charges against a Member of either House of the Oireachtas, a person outside the Houses, or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I again thank Mr. Browder for coming before the committee and invite him to address us on Mr. Magnitsky’s case.