EU calls for sanctions on Russian officials over Magnitsky case

[News_Editor]

EU calls for sanctions on Russian officials over Magnitsky case

2010-12-17 01:52:31 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- The European Parliament on Thursday called for sanctions against Russian officials who were involved in the death of corporate attorney Sergei Magnitsky while he was imprisoned, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Magnitsky, 37, died in a Moscow pre-trial detention facility in November 2009 after being refused medical treatment for pancreatitis. He was defending British investment company Hermitage Capital management from tax evasion charges.

On Thursday, the European Parliament voted in favor of a measure that encourages EU member states to impose a EU entry ban for Russian officials who were involved in Magnitsky's death and to freeze their bank accounts and assets in Europe.

"This case is an outstanding example of the serious shortcomings within Russia's judicial system," EU lawmakers said. "And those guilty of aggressions against and even murder of human rights defenders, independent journalists and lawyers still too often enjoy impunity."

The incarceration of Magnitsky last year triggered international criticism as it is believed that his imprisonment was politically motivated. Last month, the United States urged Russia to find and bring to justice those responsible for the death of the lawyer and to ensure the fundamental rights of all prisoners.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has already fired several high-ranking prison officials over Magnitsky's death but no one has been arrested so far. He has, however, ordered the Justice Ministry to launch a full investigation in the case.

Magnitsky was detained after investigators claimed that the lawyer conspired with Hermitage Capital CEO Bill Browder to set up phony firms to trade shares with the Russian energy giant Gazprom.

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