European Parliament Condemns Impunity in the Magnitsky Case and Creates Consequences for Those Involved in the Cover-Up

December 15, 2011

The European Parliament has strongly condemned the impunity of Russian officials involved in the false arrest, torture and murder of the Russian anti-corruption lawyer Sergei Magnitsky and has moved to create consequences for the Russian bureaucrats involved in the cover-up.

In a strongly-worded resolution adopted yesterday in advance of the EU-Russia summit, the European parliament has vowed to impose EU-wide visa and asset freezes if the Russian authorities fail to prosecute the officials complicit in Magnitsky’s death and extend these sanctions to those Russian officials involved in the on-going cover up in this case.

“The European Parliament calls in case of further inaction by the Russian authorities for the Council to take into consideration actions such as an EU-wide travel ban and a freeze on the financial assets of those found guilty of the torture and death of Sergei Magnitsky as well as covering up the case,” says the Resolution.

Since Mr Magnitsky’s death in police custody two years ago, nobody has been prosecuted in Russia. Two prison doctors have been charged with “negligence” despite the overwhelming evidence of torture and murder, the massive corruption Mr Magnitsky had uncovered and his subsequent arrest by the same police officers he had implicated.

“The European Parliament reiterates its concern over the human rights situation in Russia and the lack of rule of law and an independent judiciary; expresses serious concern especially with regard to the case of Sergei Magnitsky, including the failure to punish those proven guilty of his death; takes note of the report released in July 2011 by President Medvedev’s Human Rights Council which provided evidence that Sergei Magnitsky’s arrest was unlawful and that his detention was marked by beatings and torture aimed at extracting a confession of guilt,” says the European Parliament in its Resolution.

As part of the Russian investigation, which has been extended ten times, all officials from the Russian Interior Ministry, the General Prosecutor’ Office, Federal Security Service, Federal Tax Service and Moscow court named in the petitions by Mr Magnitsky’s mother and human rights activists for their specific role in Mr Magnitsky’s false arrest and repression have been absolved from any responsibility.

The European Parliament insists that high-level Russian officials in the Magnitsky case should not escape prosecution if the Russian probe is to have any credibility in the West.

“The European Parliament calls on the Investigative Committee to lead a comprehensive and thorough investigation without taboo, to promptly present concrete conclusions and to take all actions necessary to bring those responsible to justice.”

Instead of prosecutions, Russian state officials involved in the torture and murder of Magnitsky received awards and promotions.

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