In 2009, Sergei Magnitsky was murdered in a Russian prison after exposing one of the largest fraud’s in the country’s history. The fraud concerned the takeover of Bill Browder’s investment fund Hermitage, which Magnitsky was the lawyer of. During the last few weeks, it has come to public attention that Nordic banks, particularly Swedbank and Danske Bank, have been used for money laundering schemes, with connections to the Russian leadership.
Money laundering is, however, not only a financial crime. It is a way for Russia to increase its malign influence in Europe. Money laundering undermines our rule of law, and Russian economic influence also hinders a strong and united European response.
To discuss these issues, Stockholm Free World Forumhosted a seminar with Bill Browder, CEO of Hermitage and expert on Russian money laundering schemes and money flows into Europe. Browder has advocated for the imposition of the Magnitsky law, first adopted in the US, that are holding those responsible for Magnitsky’s death responsible as well as decreasing Russian economic influence. Moreover, Browder has pressed charges against Swedbank on money laundering grounds.
During the afternoon, there was a keynote speech and a discussion with Bill Browder, which was followed by a panel discussion.