The saga of hedge fund manager William Browder has all the classic elements of a spy novel — murder, intrigue, international incidents — and, as of this past week, another stunning plot twist.
The founder of London-based hedge fund firm Hermitage Capital has been embroiled in a fight with the Russian government for three years since the death of his lawyer under uncertain circumstances in a Russian jail in 2009.
Browder has led the charge for justice since the death of Sergei Magnitsky, who along with Browder accused the government of participating in a money-laundering scheme that cost the firm $230 million. Magnitsky was arrested on tax evasion charges, while Hermitage contends those charges were falsified and Magnitsky was locked up to keep him quiet.
Now, fast forward to 2009. Alexander Perepilichny, a Russian businessman who aided Hermitage in the case against the Russian government by handing over key files, was found dead in London on November 10, and the investigation is ongoing.
Alexander Osipovich profiled Hermitage’s Browder, who made his name investing in Russia, in the December 2011 issue of AR magazine. The feature explores his fund, strategy, ties to Russia and his mission to win justice for Magnitsky.
