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Diplomat urges not to speculate on prospects of cancelling Magnitsky Act under Trump

The Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act was adopted in December 2012

© AP Photo/Evan Vucci

MOSCOW, January 11. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Ministry Commissioner for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, Konstantin Dolgov, has said there is no need to speculate on the prospects of lifting the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act under the Trump Administration.

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Analyst warns expansion of Magnitsky list may pose hindrances to Trump administration

"Let’s not indulge in making guesses," he said on Wednesday answering a question on the issue. "Our principled stance on the Magnitsky Act and the decisions of the outgoing administration taken as a follow-up to this act has remained unchanged. They are absolutely groundless and illegitimate."

The Sergey Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act was adopted in December 2012 and was initially directed against the persons the US authorities believe are responsible for the death of Hermitage Capital lawyer Sergey Magnitsky in Russia. It was later expanded to include Russian individuals whom the US suspects of human rights violations.

In early 2015 US Senator Ben Cardin put forward a bill to make the Magnitsky Act applicable to individuals worldwide. Those on the list will be unable to get a US visa, and their property and bank accounts in the United States will be frozen.

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Magnitsky Act Foreign policy Donald Trump

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