Russian officials are promising a tough response to US legislation that would impose sanctions on Kremlin officials if Congress finds them responsible for violating human rights.
On Friday, Washington passed a bill that established permanent normal trade relations with Russia, repealing a 1974 act which limited trade because of the Soviet Union's treatment of Jews. It had been waived annually since 1989, two years before the Soviet Union collapsed.
But a provision of the legislation named after lawyer also would impose sanctions on officials responsible for human rights violations.
Magnitsky was a lawyer, aged 37, representing a Britain-based capital management company in 2008 when he exposed alleged tax fraud involving Russian police. He claimed the scam had cost Russia about US$200 million.
Magnitsky was arrested on charges of organising tax evasion for his own firm's executives. He was allegedly tortured and died in a Moscow prison in November, 2009.
The circumstances of his death and the fraud claim have never been properly investigated, human rights activists say.