The United States may publish the extended version of the "Magnitsky list" as early as next month, while Europe is expected to pass a similar measure, Hermitage Capital investment fund president and bill supporter William Browder said.
The Magnitsky Act, enacted by the U.S. Congress in December 2012 and named after late Hermitage Capital lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, imposed personal sanctions on Russian officials responsible for human rights violations and obstructing the rule of law.
"The law is only one year old now," an assistant to U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, who helped draft the bill, said in an interview for the Voice of America. "We are at the very beginning of its implementation process and anticipate its expansion both here in the U.S. and Europe."
Executive Director of U.S.-based human rights NGO Freedom House David Kramer said his organization is currently working with lawmakers in several countries to "try to advance the adoption of a similar law as early as next year."
Meanwhile, Russian lawmakers say they are unaware of U.S. plans to expand the "Magnitsky list" or European intentions to pass similar legislation, Interfax reported.
Head of the State Duma committee on international affairs Alexei Pushkov said Tuesday that Browder's statements about broadening sanctions against Russian officials in Europe and the U.S. were "wishful thinking" intended to raise public interest for his cause.
"There have been no statements to that effect from the U.S. administration. As for Europe, there is no information that the European Union is getting ready to pass that law either," Pushkov said.
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