Russia’s opposition want Magnitsky list expanded

It has been proposed that the Magnitsky list envisaging visa and financial sanctions against Russian officials who are allegedly linked to the death of Hermitage lawyer Sergey Magnitsky is proposed to feature the head of Russia’s Central Election Commission Vladimir Churov, the Chief Russian Investigator Alexander Bastkyrin and the prosecutors in the case of the feminist-punk group Pussy Riot who are being held in custody for performing on the altar of Russia’s main cathedral. The opposition also wants sanctions introduced against judges Olga Borovkova, Alexei Stekliev and Gleb Siberov who sentenced opposition leaders for assaulting police, and against senior Moscow police as well as officers who were involved in suppressing opposition marches.

We want sanctions to be introduced against all of them, says a Solidarnost member Andrei Piontkovky.

"By making this request, we are exposing human rights abusers to the whole world. Now, the US Congress and the EU Parliament have to decide whether or not they will impose sanctions stipulated in the Magnitsky Law on these officials."

Maxim Grigoryev, who heads the Foundation for Democracy Problems Research, expressed surprise at how the opposition found out that the above-mentioned officials own US-based assets or plan to travel overseas

"I think that this campaign is aimed at making things difficult for the Russian government rather than seeking punishment for human rights violators."

The list itself can have a negative effect on Russia’s international business ties, says independent UK expert Brendon Cole.