Putin Target Bill Browder Explains Why He Isn’t Living in Fear
The American-born businessman and long-time critic of the Kremlin spoke at the Resnick Aspen Action Forum on Friday. In conversation with CNN anchor and Henry Crown Fellow Suzanne Malveaux, Browder explained why he’s not afraid of Putin’s demand.
“The United States is a country with a rule of law,” he said. “And the laws don’t allow presidents to hand people over.” Browder added that no US judge would send him to Russia where he would likely be killed. He also noted that he had immigrated to the UK almost 30 years ago.
“Putin was making a proposal to the wrong head of state,” Browder joked. “He should have gone to Theresa May.”
Browder has long been a target of Kremlin animus. His project as a Henry Crown Fellow was focused on how to improve corporate governance and fight corruption in Russia. Browder is also the co-founder of the investment advisory firm Hermitage Capital Management, an investment fund and asset management company specializing in Russian markets. The company’s tax accountant was Sergei Magnitsky. Magnitsky was arrested by Russian officials in 2008 and died in police custody 11 months later. The incident generated international media attention over allegations of fraud, theft, and human rights violations in the country. Browder has still not forgiven himself for Magnitsky’s death.
"Sergei Magnitsky was killed because of me," he said. “He was killed at the age of 37 because of me, and he was killed standing up for me.”
Browder vowed to get justice for Magnitsky and to be undaunted and unintimidated in his work. "I couldn't live with myself if I didn't go after these people," he said. "The moment that I start living in fear, that's the moment they've already succeeded."
Other Recent Posts
From creating preserving jobs and feeding families in need during the pandemic, to addressing the migration crisis in Central America through refugee support, Fellows are involved in organizations that are offering integral support to their communities. This Giving Season, we're excited to share with you causes that are close to the hearts of ...
The Global Inclusive Growth Partnership, a collaboration between the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and the Aspen Institute, is pleased to announce the 2020 recipients of the inaugural Global Inclusive Growth Spark Grants. The 2020 Grant awards $60,000 in total to four organizations led by Aspen Global Leadership Network Fellows from ...
This year has had no shortage of critical challenges and has laid bare the entrenched inequities and structural barriers that communities across the world face. The McNulty Foundation and the Aspen Global Leadership Network are excited to announce the 2020 recipients of the McNulty Prize Catalyst Fund - all leaders who are fearlessly and uniquely ...
The last day of the 2020 Resnick Aspen Action Forum coincided with the anniversary of the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Throughout the program, participants carefully reflected on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s call to meet “the fierce urgency of now,” and what it means to be a global citizen. Hildegard Vasquez , a Central America ...
“Justice delayed is justice denied” is an ancient legal concept, but it’s been cast in stark relief in the last few months. The new pressures of the current pandemic have heightened the reality of inequality and injustice. Systems that most of the world contently ignored have reached a breaking point—or, perhaps, a boiling point. Now is the time that ...
Leave a Comment