MOSCOW. June 28 (Interfax) - The percentage of Russians, who are unaware of the death of Hermitage Capital lawyer Sergei Magnitsky in a detention center in Moscow, grew from 31% to 44% since last August, Levada Center told Interfax on Thursday.

Those who knew about the Magnitsky death pointed to different culprits. The poll was held in 45 regions on June 21-26.

A total of 11.5% of the respondents blamed "top-ranking officials fearing Magnitsky's revelations" (the indicator was 14% last August). Eleven percent said that Magnitsky "was driven to death by detectives he had accused of stealing budget money" (18% the year before).

Eight percent pointed to inhumane conditions at Russian detention centers, and 8% blamed doctors' negligence.

Six percent said that no one was guilty of Magnitsky's death, which was "a mere tragic coincidence."

Twelve percent could not answer the question.

The respondents were also asked to comment on the Magnitsky Act debated in the U.S. Thirty-six percent supported it, 18% expressed a negative opinion and 45% could not answer the question.

Magnitsky, a lawyer for the investment foundation Hermitage Capital, died in the Matrosskaya Tishina detention facility on November 16, 2009 at the age of 37. He was charged with tax evasion (a crime enshrined by Russian
Criminal Code Article 199). The official cause of death is acute cardiovascular insufficiency.

Magnitsky repeatedly complained of bad health and asked for a checkup. His death drew a broad public response. Human rights defenders accused doctors and law enforcers of his death. A criminal case was opened on charges of negligence and failure to render medical aid.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations unanimously approved the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act, under which visa and financial restrictions could be imposed against a number of Russian officials, on June 26, 2012. The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs earlier gave a nod to the act.

The act will now be heard at the Senate Finance Committee and a joint meeting of both houses. If the procedures are accomplished successfully, the bill, with which the U.S. lawmakers want to replace the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, will be submitted to the U.S. president for signing.

Keywords: U.S.-Russian Relations - Russia, Assassinations, Beatings, Prison Deaths - Russian News - Russia

MOSCOW. June 28 (Interfax) - The percentage of Russians, who are unaware of the death of Hermitage Capital lawyer Sergei Magnitsky in a detention center in Moscow, grew from 31% to 44% since last August, Levada Center told Interfax on Thursday.

Those who knew about the Magnitsky death pointed to different culprits. The poll was held in 45 regions on June 21-26.

A total of 11.5% of the respondents blamed "top-ranking officials fearing Magnitsky's revelations" (the indicator was 14% last August). Eleven percent said that Magnitsky "was driven to death by detectives he had accused of stealing budget money" (18% the year before).

Eight percent pointed to inhumane conditions at Russian detention centers, and 8% blamed doctors' negligence.

Six percent said that no one was guilty of Magnitsky's death, which was "a mere tragic coincidence."

Twelve percent could not answer the question.

The respondents were also asked to comment on the Magnitsky Act debated in the U.S. Thirty-six percent supported it, 18% expressed a negative opinion and 45% could not answer the question.

Magnitsky, a lawyer for the investment foundation Hermitage Capital, died in the Matrosskaya Tishina detention facility on November 16, 2009 at the age of 37. He was charged with tax evasion (a crime enshrined by Russian
Criminal Code Article 199). The official cause of death is acute cardiovascular insufficiency.

Magnitsky repeatedly complained of bad health and asked for a checkup. His death drew a broad public response. Human rights defenders accused doctors and law enforcers of his death. A criminal case was opened on charges of negligence and failure to render medical aid.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations unanimously approved the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act, under which visa and financial restrictions could be imposed against a number of Russian officials, on June 26, 2012. The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs earlier gave a nod to the act.

The act will now be heard at the Senate Finance Committee and a joint meeting of both houses. If the procedures are accomplished successfully, the bill, with which the U.S. lawmakers want to replace the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, will be submitted to the U.S. president for signing.