France Calls on Russia To Expand the List of Officials to be Prosecuted In Magnitsky Murder Case

November 22, 2011

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe is publicly challenging the Russian government on the impunity of a number of Russian officials who were implicated in the false arrest, torture and death of Sergei Magnitsky.

In a letter from Minister Juppe to Jack Lang, a deputy in the French National Assembly and former Minister of Culture and Education, Minister questioned why only two doctors have been charged by the Russian authorities in spite of the findings of the Russian Human Rights Council which names officials in the Interior Ministry, General Prosecutor Office and judges as abetting Magnitsky’s rights violations.

“Legal proceedings were initiated against a couple of officials in the prison medical service. The report of the Russian Human Rights Council released on 6 July 2011 evokes responsibilities more widely shared in the mistreatment of Mr. Magnitsky while in detention,” said Alan Juppe.

Refuting the attempts of the Russian government to blacken Mr Magnitsky’s name with posthumous legal proceedings against him, Minister Juppe paid tribute to Mr Magnitsky’s courageous fight with corruption and for the rule of law.

“The circumstances of the death of Mr. Magnitsky, who led a courageous fight against corruption and arbitrariness, are for us a matter of great concern…Bilaterally and with our European partners, France will work to promote the rule of law in Russia,” said Alan Juppe.

“The EU has expressed a strong concern for, and is keeping a vigilant eye on, how this investigation and court proceedings unfold. We hope that our European message will help move this case along,” stated Alan Juppe.

Last year, Sergei Magnitsky was posthumously awarded the Integrity Award by Transparency International for his personal stance against the Russian corruption.

In October this year, lawmakers from 29 countries in Europe signed a Magnitsky Declaration calling upon Russia to immediately prosecute killers of Sergei Magnitsky.

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