WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States has imposed sanctions on four individuals affiliated with Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), using its Global Magnitsky authority, according to a notice released on Thursday on the U.S. Department of Treasury website.
The sanctions were introduced in response to allegations of human rights abuses committed by the FSB. The targeted individuals are believed to have been involved in these abuses and their subsequent cover-up.
The specific details of the sanctions and the identities of the sanctioned individuals have not been disclosed publicly due to national security concerns. However, the U.S. government has emphasized that these penalties will hinder the sanctioned individuals’ access to U.S. financial markets and freeze any assets they may have under U.S. jurisdiction.
The Global Magnitsky authority enables the U.S. government to impose sanctions on individuals or entities involved in human rights abuses or acts of corruption worldwide. It was originally enacted in 2016 to target Russian officials implicated in the murder of Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian tax accountant who uncovered a massive tax fraud scheme.
Since its implementation, the Global Magnitsky authority has expanded to cover individuals from various countries. The U.S. has utilized this authority to hold accountable those implicated in serious human rights violations or corruption, highlighting its commitment to defending human rights and combatting corruption on a global scale.
Russia has expressed disapproval of the sanctions, labelling them as interference in its internal affairs. The Russian government has consistently denied allegations of human rights abuses by the FSB and argues that the targeted individuals are innocent.
These new sanctions are part of a broader effort by the U.S. to pressure Russia on various fronts, including cybersecurity issues, interference in U.S. elections, and aggression towards its neighboring countries.
The U.S. government has been working to strengthen international cooperation in imposing sanctions on individuals and entities involved in human rights abuses and corruption. It has actively encouraged other countries to adopt their own versions of the Global Magnitsky authority to further hold accountable those responsible for such violations.
As the U.S. continues to employ sanctions as a diplomatic tool, the effectiveness and impact of these penalties on achieving desired policy outcomes will remain a topic of debate.
(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Susan Heavey)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
