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Investigative Committee Academy opens in Saint Petersburg

Chairman of the RF Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin opened today the Saint Petersburg Academy of the Investigative Committee on the Moika embankment. The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations Vladimir Artamonov, Governor of Saint Petersburg Georgy Poltavchenko, People’s Artist of Russia cinema director Nikita Mikhalkov, archpriest of the Russian Orthodox Church Father Sergius, some employees of the central office of the Investigative Committee and senior officials of the investigative authorities in Northwestern Federal District, representatives of authorities and law-enforcement agencies of Saint Petersburg, veterans of investigative authorities, cadets.

In his speech Mr. Bastrykin said that “today, there is a strong need for systematic training of specialists in a number of fields and the kinds of activities of the Investigative Committee that have been playing much bigger role in the past few years.” The Investigative Committee’s academies in Moscow and Saint Petersburg have very important missions to provide the Committee with staff who have professional knowledge and skills in the area of Russian and foreign investigative practices, equipment and methods of investigation, use of latest scientific and technical achievements in forensic science and use of capabilities of different forensic inquiries. He stressed: “The whole process of training will be dedicated to successful training for important state service.”

The Saint Petersburg Academy of the Investigative Committee was established in May 2016. PM Dmitry Medvedev had personally supported the idea by signing the decree. The second university under the Investigative Committee was needed because there were no such universities to train highly specialized staff. Mr. Bastrykin said: “Our educational institutions are headed by not only real professionals, but by real patriots of their country in the first place. They as well as each teacher of the academies in Moscow and Saint Petersburg have this mission of paramount importance to educate the heart of our Committee because human lives and faith of our citizens into law and justice depend on the professionalism and caring attitude of future officers of the Investigative Committee.”

The Academy has all necessary conditions for efficient training in most needed fields, including investigation of crimes related to the activity of international terrorist organizations, investigation of crimes related to extremism and financing of extremism, prevention of money laundering, specific features of revealing, exposing and investigating hostile takeovers of assets and others.

It is significant that the new academy has firm historical foundation: many years ago, from 1867 to 1917, the building housed the Alexander Military Law Academy graduates of which had opportunity to take positions in the military justice department. The Saint Petersburg Academy is going to continue the tradition of serving to the Fatherland.

Mr. Bastrykin congratulated the staff and students of the Academy on the beginning of the academic year and wished them sound health, endless energy and success in their studies. Cadets of cadet classes of the Investigative Committee, students of the Saint Petersburg Academy of the Investigative Committee and the guards of honor of the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations performed before the present guests.

Governor of Saint Petersburg Georgy Poltavchenko, Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations Vladimir Artamonov, People’s Artist cinema director Nikita Mikhalkov and archpriest of the Russian Orthodox Church Father Sergius joined the congratulations. The archpriest gave the Academy the icon of the God’s Archistratigus Michael who was blessed by the Patriarch of Cyril of Moscow and All Russia to be the patron saint of the Investigative Committee for consolidation of moral and spiritual foundations.

Mr. Bastrykin awarded some of the guests of honor and veterans of investigative authorities and thanked the most distinguished students.

Chancellor of the Saint Petersburg Academy of the Investigative Committee Alexander Yefremov thanked Mr. Bastrykin noting his considerable contribution into the educational system of the Investigative Committee and then awarded him with a badge and a diploma on awarding him an academic title of The Honored Professor of the Saint Petersburg Academy of the RF Investigative Committee.

After the ceremony a bust of Alexander II, the founder of the Russian law system, was opened in the public garden of the Academy.

Head of Media Relations                                                                                                                             V.I. Markin