Democrat Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, noted that three years ago, the White House disavowed an earlier Justice Department memo, known as the torture memo, permitting very harsh interrogation techniques.

NPR: White House Reacts to Interrogation Claims

Russia's list, announced by the foreign ministry, includes two former Bush administration officials who are said to have advocated harsh interrogation techniques and two former commanders of the detention centre at Guantanamo Bay.

BBC: Russia responds in kind to US Magnitsky list

During his first week in office, President Obama issued an executive order officially outlawing the use of harsh interrogation techniques by the CIA, and forcing the agency to adhere to standards laid out in the US Army Field Manual.

BBC: Obama publishes 'torture' memos

President Barack Obama issued an executive order in January that calls for a review of the Bush administration's controversial interrogation program to see whether any of the harsh techniques used should be retained.

CNN: Senate panel to review CIA programs under Bush