The British Embassy has denied a newspaper report that London has secretly blacklisted 60 Russian officials implicated in the jail death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, Interfax reported.
"There has been no change in government policy. We continue to have concerns about the Magnitsky case — as we mentioned during the PM's visit — but the Observer article originated from an opposition MP and does not correctly describe the British government's policy," an embassy spokesman said Monday.
Britain's Observer reported over the weekend that London had followed Washington's lead in placing visa restrictions on 60 officials accused of playing a part in Magnitsky's 2009 death.
(MT)
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.
Remind me later.