Russia threatens retaliatory response against UK sanctions over alleged Chechen abuse

On December 12, Russia said that it will issue a "retaliatory response” to the UK sanctions over alleged human rights abuses in Russia's Chechen Republic. Calling the UK’s sanctions as "groundless" and asserting that Russia reserved the right to retaliate, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Kremlin was "perplexed" by the decision announced by the UK government on December 10. The UK sanctioned at least three Russian citizens and a Russian National Guard, and the Terek Special Rapid Response Unit due to alleged humanitarian crimes.

"Undoubtedly, this politically biased demarche will have a negative impact on Russian-UK interstate relations. Taking into account the principle of reciprocity, we reserve the right to take adequate retaliatory measures," Zakharova reportedly said. He added, that Moscow regards "this groundless decision as a clear demonstration of the unwillingness of the UK authorities to abandon their confrontational policies towards Russia." UK has recently adopted its own amended Magnitsky Act which was introduced by the US in 2012 to target foreign citizens and organisations in case they violated human rights. 

Read: Afghan Peace Talks Receive Backing From UN, Russia Votes Against Resolution

Read: Russia Says Military Officials Preparing To Leave For Service Will Get COVID Vaccine First

To stop 'blood money laundering'

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told UK press that the sanctions were imposed to stop the "blood money" laundering, warning that the UK will now bar entry to any individuals worldwide who are accused of human rights violations. Raab reportedly warned that the individuals can’t "set foot in this country" as the UK will seize their "blood-drenched ill-gotten gains" as he spoke in a live-streamed address.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that he regretted such "unfriendly" moves, adding that Russia will follow the principle of reciprocity and some kind of retaliatory response to safeguard its national interest. A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson told local media that the sanctions were imposed to stop violations and not to target any specific country. 

Read: UK Deploys Naval Vessels On Standby To Protect Its Waters In Case Of No-deal Brexit

Read: Russia To Establish Navy Base In Sudan For At Least 25 Years

(Image Credit: AP; With ANI Inputs)