News Feed

Prosecutor General's Office: Investigation into Bihus.Info surveillance transferred away from SBU

2 min read
Prosecutor General's Office: Investigation into Bihus.Info surveillance transferred away from SBU
Three men allegedly linked to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) bring surveillance equipment to a suburban complex near Kyiv where staff members of Ukrainian investigative media outlet Bihus.info were secretly filmed during their New Year private party, according to the outlet. (Bihus.info)

The investigation into the surveillance of Ukrainian investigative outlet Bihus.Info will no longer be conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Prosecutor General's Office announced on Feb. 6, after the outlet reported on Feb. 5 that one SBU department had been involved in the surveillance.

"Given that law enforcement officers are probably involved in the commission of the specified criminal offense, the pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State Bureau of Investigation," the Prosecutor General's Office said.

News that the Bihus.Info team had been under surveillance first emerged on Jan. 16, when a video appeared online showing some staff members of the team supposedly using drugs during a private party, filmed from well-placed, hidden cameras.

After analyzing the video, Bihus.Info said its employees had been under surveillance for months and announced they would investigate who was spying on its team. The SBU said it opened a criminal case into illegal surveillance.

Bihus.Info then reported on Feb. 5 that according to their investigation, the operation had been conducted by the SBU's Department for Protection of National Statehood. President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the head of this department, Roman Semenchenko, on Jan. 31.

"Given that law enforcement officers are probably involved in the commission of the specified criminal offense, the pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State Bureau of Investigation," the Prosecutor General's Office said.

"Violations of journalists' rights are unacceptable and subject to careful consideration and appropriate response," Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said.

Ukraine's parliament voted to summon SBU Head Vasyl Maliuk earlier on Feb. 6.

Maliuk released a statement in response, saying that he "will do everything possible so that every mass media can work freely in Ukraine."

"Such actions are unacceptable and have already caused a number of personnel decisions."

Avatar
Elsa Court

Audience Development Manager

News Feed
 (Updated:  )

Sending the medal back via Nova Post, Ukraine’s leading postal service, President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the Polish people for their support and solidarity during Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The decision by Viktor Orban's Fidesz party to block 12 Ukrainian newspapers in September 2025 only sought to deepen divisions between Kyiv and Budapest, said Hungarian Social Relations and Culture Minister Zoltan Tarr.

Show More