The most scandalous international event yesterday was the “Kremlin Report”, where the US Treasury Department called the entire Russian elite (114 officials and 96 oligarchs, including our compatriot Samvel Karapetyan) “risky” and subject to possible sanctions. To be honest, it does not seem trustworthy measuring everyone by the same yardstick: if it does not state exactly what these people are suspicious of, what each of them has sinned, then an atmosphere of “collective liability” is being created.
In principle, I am not against official sanctions to be imposed against non-democratic countries. If, for instance, any law enforcement officer groundlessly filed a suit or contributed to the torture of people, then he and his immediate “bosses” must be punished. And if the courts and the supreme authorities of that country conceal these crimes (usually that is the case), then, of course, “external” or supranational bodies should deal with these offenders. Of course, the decision of the European Court of Human Rights is preferable. But as countries like Russia are, to put it mildly, deeply indifferent to the ECHR decisions, sanctions by other countries are also justified.
However, when 220 people at once are involved, not as individuals, but for their position, such actions lose their original meaning. Are these 220 people corrupt? Quite possible. But that must be proved. They violate human rights, seal illegal deals, and abuse their position? I believe, but I want to know what each of them has done.
I understand that it is a political act, a means of pressure, etc. But will Putin’s people be oppressed by that? I think, on the contrary, he will get additional political dividends in the eyes of his dubious citizens. “You see, we are trying to set Russia on its feet, but our enemies do not want that and they are resorting to some senseless steps”, they will say. Russian President’s Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov says the US is taking this step to influence the outcome of the Russian presidential elections. As if something can influence on that.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
