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Probe launched against involved in doping scandal

The Head Office of the Investigative Committee has initiated criminal proceedings against those who managed NGO All-Russian Federation of Athletics in 2009-2013. They are suspected of abusing their office which led to disqualification of Russian athletes, banning them from taking part in official sport events, including international competitions and annulment of the results they had reached during the said officials competitions. All this makes up a crime under Part 2 of Article 201 of the RF Penal Code.

The case was opened following the results of a pre-investigative check into the information stated in the request of legal assistance filed on 13.11.2015 by the Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris against officials of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF). According to the request the officials of the Russia’s Athletics Federation violated anti-doping rules and allowed athletes to take part in official competitions.

The competent bodies of France will be offered to present some additional data and documents necessary for the requested investigation in the Russian Federation.

Representatives of some foreign countries have repeatedly requested investigation into so-called doping scandal in Russia. I would like to point out that one country should not conduct an investigation into what has happened in another one. Under the Russian Constitution and the international laws, only the Russia’s Investigative Committee, an independent investigative authority, has the authority to do that and will conduct through, full and impartial investigation into the matter. We may allow representatives of other countries to be present during investigative operations if they file proper international requests.

The results of the inquiry will not leave any questions unanswered. If we find that there really was a crime, the guilty ones undoubtedly will be brought to justice.

I stress that only the Investigative Committee is authorized to make a final procedural decision against Russian citizens who have committed a crime in the Russian Federation.

Head of Media Relations                                                                                                                            V.I. Markin