Three years of reporting, funded by our readers — become a member now and help us prepare for 2025.
Goal: 1,000 new members for our birthday. Gift a membership to your friend and help us prepare for what 2025 might bring.
Become a member Gift membership
Skip to content
Edit post

Investigation Bureau admits partly destroying case files, opens criminal case against critics.

by The Kyiv Independent news desk July 13, 2022 5:30 PM 1 min read
This audio is created with AI assistance

The State Investigation Bureau confirmed on July 13 that it had destroyed some of the secret files in several high-profile criminal cases.

The case files are linked to several pro-Kremlin politicians, and their alleged destruction prompted speculation that treason or corruption is involved. The State Investigation Bureau did not respond to a request for additional comments.

The files were destroyed immediately after Russia launched its all-out invasion on Feb. 24. The Bureau claimed that it had destroyed only secret case files regulated by a special by-law on state secrets. It was not clear which files were meant and what was the reason for their destruction.

The Prosecutor General’s Office said earlier that prosecutors had not authorized detectives of the State Investigation Bureau to destroy the case files. The Bureau alleged that, under martial law, it did not need prosecutors’ approval to destroy them.

Read More: Investigators destroy case files linked to pro-Kremlin politicians amid Russian invasion

The State Investigation Bureau also claimed that destroying these files would not have any impact on the quality of the investigations.

At the same time, the Bureau opened a criminal probe against those who have published information about the destruction of the files, accusing them of “interfering” with the Bureau’s work. The State Investigation Bureau alleged that they sought to “destabilize” its work by spreading “unreliable” information on the destruction of case files.

The State Investigation Bureau, an agency similar to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations, investigates non-corruption crimes committed by top officials.

Three years of reporting, funded by our readers.
Millions read the Kyiv Independent, but only one in 10,000 readers makes a financial contribution. Thanks to our community we've been able to keep our reporting free and accessible to everyone. For our third birthday, we're looking for 1,000 new members to help fund our mission and to help us prepare for what 2025 might bring.
Three years. Millions of readers. All thanks to 12,000 supporters.
It’s thanks to readers like you that we can celebrate another birthday this November. We’re looking for another 1,000 members to help fund our mission, keep our journalism accessible for all, and prepare for whatever 2025 might bring. Consider gifting a membership today or help us spread the word.
Help us get 1,000 new members!
Become a member Gift membership
visa masterCard americanExpress

News Feed

MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.