Russia's Duma Passes Anti-Magnitsky Act

Russia's lower house, the Duma, passed the anti-Magnitsky Act, on Friday.

The bill blocks certain US citizens from entering Russia or adopting Russian children.

It also bans dual citizens from belonging to foreign non-governmental organizations.

Putin has backed off from agreeing to sign it, stating that Russian opposition to the bill may be too large.

He reminded the Duma that petitions against the bill, must be investigated, before he can sign it.

Opponents claim to have over one hundred thousand signatures, of people who are against the bill.

This all was in response to a US bill, called the Magnitsky Act, that places a visa ban and implements asset freezes on Russian officials believed to be responsible for the death of Sergei Magnitsky.

Magnitsky mysteriously died in 2009, in a Moscow jail, after accusing officials of tax fraud.