European Union officials are quizzing Russian authorities over the lack of a criminal probe into the prison death of Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer who developed pancreatitis that was allowed to go untreated, AP reported. Magnitsky's death in November triggered a wave of criticism, prompting President Dmitry Medvedev to fire 20 senior prison officials. But half a year on, no-one has been charged, amplifying criticism by rights activists that those who imperil the powerful are fair game. While in jail Magnitsky had testified against high-ranking Interior Ministry officials accusing them of stealing $230 million from state funds. The same officials instigated Magnitsky's arrest on tax-evasion charges in 2008. -- SPA
