WASHINGTON (AP) — The author of sanctions against Russians over human rights violations said Thursday there would be no need for punishment if Russia focused on holding people accountable for the death of Sergei Magnitsky.

“If Russia would stop wasting time prosecuting a dead person for doing what is right and instead hold those who are responsible accountable there would be no need for a list in the United States or any other country,” Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., said at a Capitol Hill news conference.