Freezing Order: A True Story of Money Laundering, Murder, and Surviving Vladimir Putin's Wrath

Browder is motivated to make the Russian criminals pay a price because his friend, Magnitsky, was murdered. For exposing a crime and therefore highlighting the corruption of the Russian government, Magnitsky paid the ultimate price. He wasn’t the only one to pay this price for taking on Putin’s criminal government. Other friends of Browder’s were killed in Russia and, even more distressingly, assassinated abroad. Those advocating for the Magnitsky Act were additionally subjected to harassment and threats. Those involved in the fight for justice in the Magnitsky case paid an enormous psychological toll.

In addition to Magnitsky himself, Browder recounts the assassination of Nemtsov and the attempted assassinations of Kara-Murza and Gorokhov. These three individuals were bravely carried the fight for justice into Russia itself. Nemtsov was a legendary Russian opposition leader who lent his full support to the quest for Magnitsky laws. He was assassinated near the Kremlin after giving an interview about a planned anti-Putin demonstration. The crime was covered up and blamed on others, but Browder had no doubt that Putin ordered the execution. Kara-Murza, a close friend and associate of Nemtsov’s, was dedicated to passing Magnitsky laws and spoke at a memorial in Washington, DC, in honor of his friend. After returning to Russia to continue his work against Putin despite severe official harassment, Kara-Murza was poisoned. He came close to death but was saved by Russian doctors with integrity. Likewise, Gorokhov—the Magnitsky family’s attorney who gained access to Magnitsky’s file, got the information to the US Attorney in New York, and later testified—was almost assassinated in Russia as well. He too recovered but had lasting damage to his eyes. Such murders silence not only the victims but others who become too afraid to speak up against the regime. The Russian government threatened those in the West working against their interests as well. When Perepilichnyy gave evidence against the Stepanovs in the Swiss case, assassins poisoned him in France. Perepilichnyy died as a result. That reach of the Russian crime bosses and authorities terrified Browder and others working against their interests.

In addition to murder, the Russian government used public relations campaigns with disinformation to sully the reputations of those working on Magnitsky laws—and used the state to bring bogus charges against such individuals. Browder was charged and convicted in absentia twice by the Russian government. Even the deceased Magnitsky was charged, and his wife was harassed by authorities. For Browder, such criminal charges caused fear whenever he crossed international borders. He never knew if an administrative error could land him in Russian hands. One time, the Russians successfully used Interpol to have Browder arrested in Madrid. Although the situation was resolved, Browder remained uneasy crossing borders and had to deal with delays and embarrassment due to bogus Russian filings.

The constant exposure to such dangers caused severe stress for those fighting against Putin. At one time, Browder was told to vary his routines because his life was threatened. It took a toll on his family and all the families of those fighting against Putin. Browder recounts one incident in Colorado when men approached his children who went inside. The men came to the door and knocked while his wife and children stayed hidden and terrified. However, Browder notes the value in all these sacrifices. At time of this book’s publication, 37 countries had passed Magnitsky laws, and the Russian criminals had at least sustained some economic damages. Magnitsky saved other lives, and he and other heroes can never be forgotten.