Pavel Khodorkovsky, the son of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, has commented on the historic passing by the United States senate of the “Magnitsky Act”, saying it is “an important step” towards restoring his father’s freedom. The Act, named after the Russian lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, who was killed in pre-trial detention after being beaten and denied medical treatment following his arrest by Russian authorities for investigations into fraud committed by Russian state officials, was passed by the comprehensive margin of 92 votes to 4. Once the Act is approved by the president and becomes law, those implicated in Magnitsky’s death and its cover-up, and other human rights abusers in Russia, will be denied US visas and have their US assets frozen.

Pavel Khodorkovsky commented:

“The passing of the Magnitsky Act is a historic moment for human rights in Russia and around the world. It is a lasting tribute to the memory of Sergei Magnitsky and a clear signal that Russian officials can no longer abuse human rights with impunity. As my father Mikhail Khodorkovsky approaches ten years of imprisonment, the Magnitsky Act delivers a message to the Putin regime that the world is watching and demands higher standards for human rights and economic freedom.”

“This is a great piece of legislation that gives U.S. officials the power they need to single out human rights abusers and bar them from the country and its banking system. What happened today is an important step toward restoring my father’s freedom.”