U.S. to publish blacklist of Russian human rights violators

WASHINGTON Washington will publish a list of Russian officials barred from entering the U.S. because of their alleged abuse of human rights. The decision has angered the Russian government who has threatened with reciprocal sanctions. U.S. to publish blacklist of Russian human rights violators The Kremlin sternly warned Washington on Friday against publishing the list of Russian officials barred from entering the U.S. Russian President Vladimir Putin's Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said the officials' public naming could leave lasting damage on future ties between the two former Cold War foes, AFP has reported. “The appearance of some lists will unquestionably have a very negative impact on Russian-U.S. bilateral relations,” news agencies quoted Peskov as saying. The list of the Russians is expected to be made public Friday under a measure dubbed the Magnitsky Act, named for Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who was arrested in 2008 for tax evasion after accusing Russian police officials of stealing USD 230mn in tax rebates, AP has reported. In prison, Magnitsky was repeatedly beaten and denied medical treatment. He died in 2009 of untreated pancreatitis. The law targets not only those tied to Magnitsky's death, but also those involved in other abuses. The release of the names comes at a sensitive time for the Obama administration, which is trying to jump-start talks with Russia on nuclear arms control, AP points out. On Thursday, the administration announced that national security adviser Tom Donilon will travel to Moscow this month to discuss cooperation. Some of the lawmakers behind the legislation are now pressuring the Obama administration to target high-level officials, including some close to Putin. Administration and congressional officials familiar with the deliberations say the list could include Russia's top police official, Alexander Bastrykin, who has spearheaded a crackdown on the Russian opposition. Bastrykin's agency also led the investigation into Magnitsky's death and concluded last month that no crime was committed, AP reports. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said that they also expect the list to include the Kremlin-backed Chechen leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, who is accused by human rights groups of torture, abductions and killings. More than 250 names to be targeted have been sent to the U.S. administration. Moscow reacted with scathing anger at the Magnitsky Act and parliament in retaliation agreed legislation barring U.S. families from adopting Russian children. The Russian foreign ministry has since drawn up its own blacklist of U.S. officials who are alleged to have committed human rights violations. (Beta, file) Tanjug

U.S. to publish blacklist of Russian human rights violators

The Kremlin sternly warned Washington on Friday against publishing the list of Russian officials barred from entering the U.S.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said the officials' public naming could leave lasting damage on future ties between the two former Cold War foes, AFP has reported.

“The appearance of some lists will unquestionably have a very negative impact on Russian-U.S. bilateral relations,” news agencies quoted Peskov as saying.

The list of the Russians is expected to be made public Friday under a measure dubbed the Magnitsky Act, named for Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who was arrested in 2008 for tax evasion after accusing Russian police officials of stealing USD 230mn in tax rebates, AP has reported.

In prison, Magnitsky was repeatedly beaten and denied medical treatment. He died in 2009 of untreated pancreatitis.

The law targets not only those tied to Magnitsky's death, but also those involved in other abuses.

The release of the names comes at a sensitive time for the Obama administration, which is trying to jump-start talks with Russia on nuclear arms control, AP points out.

On Thursday, the administration announced that national security adviser Tom Donilon will travel to Moscow this month to discuss cooperation.

Some of the lawmakers behind the legislation are now pressuring the Obama administration to target high-level officials, including some close to Putin.

Administration and congressional officials familiar with the deliberations say the list could include Russia's top police official, Alexander Bastrykin, who has spearheaded a crackdown on the Russian opposition. Bastrykin's agency also led the investigation into Magnitsky's death and concluded last month that no crime was committed, AP reports.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said that they also expect the list to include the Kremlin-backed Chechen leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, who is accused by human rights groups of torture, abductions and killings.

More than 250 names to be targeted have been sent to the U.S. administration.

Moscow reacted with scathing anger at the Magnitsky Act and parliament in retaliation agreed legislation barring U.S. families from adopting Russian children.

The Russian foreign ministry has since drawn up its own blacklist of U.S. officials who are alleged to have committed human rights violations.