Support The Moscow Times!

Zhirinovsky Says He Would Be 'Delighted' to Be on Magnitsky List

The flamboyant head of the Liberal Democratic Party said he would be happy if his name appeared on the U.S. Magnistky list, Interfax reported Thursday.

"Let them put me on any 'Magnistky list' a hundred times. I will only be delighted, as this will mean that the enemy considers me a strong force to be reckoned with," Vladimir Zhirinovksy said at the "Russia in the Contemporary World — Information Partnership" media forum hosted by the Public Chamber.

He noted that U.S. officials have always issued him visas in the past without any hurdles.

Investigative Committee head Alexander Bastrykin echoed a similar sentiment earlier, when he said that it would be an "honor" to be included on the Magnitsky list, as reported by Itar-Tass on March 20.

Russian human rights activists campaigned for Bastrykin's inclusion in the list for his handling of the investigation of the 2009 death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky.

In December 2012, the United States passed the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act, which imposes a visa ban and asset freezes on Russian officials suspected of involvement in Magnistky's death and other human rights violations.

There is so far no information regarding who is actually included on the blacklist of Russian officials to be punished under the act. The list is expected to be published by the end of March.

Related articles:

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more