Russian President Dimitry Medvedev ordered a full investigation into the death of the director of a real estate company, who died of acute heart failure in a pre-trial detention centre on Apil 30, the Kremlin's press service said.
Vera Trifonova, a 53-year-old resident of Khimki near Moscow, had been in pre-trial detention since December on fraud charges. It was reported that she had diabetes and chronic kidney failure.
Medvedev asked Investigative Committee Chairman Alexander Bastrikin to present all information about the incident, and if it is proven to be the fault of the investigating authorities, to submit proposals on how those responsible should be punished.
In November 2009, Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer at hedge fund Hermitage Capital died in the same prison while awaiting trial on tax evasion charges. The Russian Prosecutor General's office said that he died of a heart attack but supporters say Magnitsky was denied access to medical treatment.
