Get tough with Russia

Boston Herald

The Senate and House next month are expected to approve legislation aimed at punishing people involved in the beating death of a lawyer in a Russian jail cell. Passage will show Russia that, whatever the warm feelings toward Russia of the White House and the State Department, Americans are fed up with growing lawlessness in that country.

The Russians have threatened grave though unspecified retaliation if the provisions, likely to be part of a bill granting Russia the status of “Normal Trading Relations,” pass. Such a designation is needed to trade with Russia now that it has joined the World Trade Organization.

The provisions would deny visas to and freeze U.S. assets (if any) of 60 individuals who had a hand in the death of Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer who had represented a mutual fund investing in Russian companies. Magnitsky had exposed a ring that stole $230 million in Russian government funds, using documents of the mutual fund, for a criminal gang. His death in 2009 was never investigated as a murder, even though a local police officer wanted to and then-president Dimitri Medvedev called for a “thorough” investigation. Prosecutors said they found no wrongdoing and claimed that Magnitsky died of heart failure.

Enactment of this special provision here could encourage other countries to enact similar restrictions. It would encourage Russian dissidents like the recently jailed members of an all-girl rock ensemble, letting them know that their cause is not forgotten.

In his second term, Russian President Vladimir Putin is cooperating with the dominating business “oligarchs” that he once opposed. He has gone out of his way to insult the United- States. President Obama should use the action of Congress to make clear to Putin that the “reset” in relations is now dead. микрозаймы онлайн микрозаймы онлайн https://zp-pdl.com/online-payday-loans-in-america.php https://www.zp-pdl.com займ на карту срочно без отказа