Disinfo: ‘Highly likely’ that Magnitsky was poisoned by toxic chemicals on Bill Browder’s orders

Summary

Based on the documents that were shown, an obvious conclusion can be made that, having received a false statement from Magnitsky that was used for provocation, Browder was interested in Sergey Magnitsky’s death more than anyone else in order to avoid exposure. Moscow also suspects Browder of being involved in the murder of three men allegedly linked to his business – Octay Gasanov, Valery Kurochkin and Sergey Korobeinikov. It is highly likely that they were killed to get rid of accomplices who could give an incriminating testimony against Browder.

Disproof

There's no evidence of businessman Bill Browder being involved in the alleged murders. But there is plenty of evidence about state-controlled media being used to circulate disinfo - for example in the Skripals case, pro-Kremlin outlets stated they were poisoned by either the USA or the UK or they just overdosed. Also, this is not the first time Russia is blaming Bill Browder - in July president Vladimir Putin said that Browder allegedly made a $400-million donation to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 election campaign and the money was stolen from Russia through tax evasion, a claim that was quickly debunked by the media. The CEO of Hermitage Capital, once the largest investment firm in Russia, fell afoul of the Russian government in 2005 after exposing the details of a vast $230-million corruption scheme involving many high-ranking Russian officials. While investigating the corruption scheme, Hermitage Capital’s tax lawyer Sergei Magnitsky was detained and imprisoned. He died in prison in 2009, at the age of 37, after what Browder says was torture and ill-treatment in detention. To commemorate Magnitsky, USA named the act that restricts the travel and freezes the assets of people who have violated human rights The Global Magnitsky Act.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 126
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19/11/2018
  • Outlet language(s) English
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Russia
  • Keywords: Sergei Magnitsky
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Disinfo: Migrants are being Islamized in Europe

Europe is being destroyed by migrants and bureaucrats. Migrants which are coming to Europe are not religious, but they become Islamists there. If you’re not going to a mosque in Germany, then you are not Syrian and you’ll be deported. The system is supposed to keep only unscrupulous refugees in the country.

Disproof

No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about migrants and Islamization.

Disinfo: Americans are controlling German media

The media in Germany is largely dependent on their owners in the United States. Today, none of the chief editors of leading media organizations can be appointed to the position unless they have completed a half-year internship in the American media outlets.

Disproof

No evidence given. German law does not limit or prohibit foreign ownership of the media. However, foreign ownership is a minor factor in the German media market. Recurring pro - Kremlin disinformation about US presence in Europe. Further debunking by Polygraph.

Disinfo: Ukrainians will be deprived of syringes and bandages

The Ukrainian authorities will deprive their citizens of medical supplies, such as syringes and bandages. The Ukrainian pharmacies will no longer be allowed to sell such materials. The population will be left without pharmacies.

Disproof

In fact, the Ukrainian law on Medicines will be updated with few changes which will reinforce control and quality of the provided services. It is not mentioned that Ukrainian pharmacies will not longer be able to sell medical supplies. Further debunking by Stop Fake.