EU Lawmakers Call For Sanctions On Russians Involved In Magnitsky Case

October 23, 2012

by RFE/RL

STRASBOURG, France -- The European Parliament has overwhelmingly approved a proposal recommending common visa-restriction regimes and asset freezes to target Russian officials involved in the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky.

It's the second time such a resolution has come from Europarliamentarians, with EU members balking at a similar effort two years ago.

In addition to the measures by EU member states, the latest proposal calls on Russia "to conduct a credible and independent investigation encompassing all aspects of the case" and to stop widespread corruption by reforming the judicial system.

The text urges the EU to raise those issues in bilateral meetings with Russia authorities "in a more determined, resolute and result-oriented manner."

Sergei Magnitsky, a Moscow attorney, was allegedly tortured and beaten to death following nearly a year of pretrial custody in 2009 after uncovering alleged massive fraud by Russian authorities.

The European Parliament passed a similar resolution in 2010, but EU member states have stopped short of endorsing an EU-wide sanctions regime.

Magnitsky's mother, Natalia Magnitskaya, testified on October 2 at the trial of the sole defendant in the case -- Dmitry Kratov, a former deputy warden at Moscow's Butyrka detention center who is charged with negligence leading to the lawyer's death. She has urged a further investigation and said other individuals must be held accountable for her son's killing.

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/eu-parliament-calls-for-sanctions-on-russians-involved-magnitsky-case/24748786.html

Copyright (c) 2012. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.