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Chairman of Investigative Committee of Russia pays working visit to Syrian Arab Republic

On October 18, 2018, Alexander Bastrykin visited the Syrian Arab Republic. During his working visit to Damask, he held negotiations with Ali Mamlouk, the Director of the National Security Bureau of the Syrian Arab Republic, and H. al-Shaar, Minister for Justice.

The parties noted that lately, major steps were taken to further strengthen the legitimate government of the Syrian Arab Republic. Terrorists laid down their arms at key points of Syria, which allows starting the work on restoration of the vital infrastructure for comfortable living of citizens; resuming education, which was absent in some areas of the state for about 7 years.

The parties agreed upon the need to further strengthen and develop contacts between the Russian and Syrian law enforcement agencies in order to assist in investigation of crimes of the terrorist nature, sharing the fundamental point of view for all persons involved in wrongful acts to be brought to criminal responsibility and to incur an appropriate fair punishment.

The Chairman discussed with the Minister for Justice of the Syrian Arab Republic the matters of implementation of the Cooperation Agreement signed by the Investigative Committee of Russia and the Ministry for the Interior of Syria in Damask in March 2018. Some positive dynamics of the cooperation was praised. There are specific results of importance to the investigation of several criminal cases under proceeding of the Investigative Committee of Russia. Alexander Bastrykin invited H. al-Shaar to visit Russia, get acquainted with the operation of the investigative authorities, forensic equipment, and training in the educational facilities of the Investigative Committee of Russia.

In Damask, Alexander Bastrykin also met with Alexander Kinshchak, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation, as well as with officers of Russian Embassy. At the meeting with the diplomats, Alexander Bastrykin said, “While working in a challenging and risky environment, despite the obvious difficulties, you do a lot to strengthen and develop the Russia-Syria relations, and defend the interests of our natives in Syria vigorously.” The Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia thanked the Russian Embassy diplomats for their utmost contribution to supporting of the Russian investigative operations in the Syrian Arab Republic. The most performing diplomats were awarded with medals of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation “For Strengthening of International Cooperation”.

The same day, the Investigative Committee Chairman arrived to the Russian air base in Khmeimim. He listened to an investigators’ report on progress of solving crimes against Russian military officers in the Syrian Arab Republic. Alexander Bastrykin gave instructions and guidelines on specific criminal cases.

At the same time, the Chairman noted the expertise and coordination of officers of the Investigative Committee of Russia in Syria while they carry out investigative or other legal actions, including those in areas of challenging operative environment. He emphasized the need to strictly comply with security measures while investigating crime scenes - given that of late, unauthorized armed gangs had been operating on most of freed territories. Outstanding officers were presented with departmental awards.

A working meeting was held with the command of Group forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the Syrian Arab Republic. They discussed the unfolding situation in the region, including the one in the provinces not yet under control by the Syrian government forces. Alexander Bastrykin thanked the command for the contribution to investigators in their work, as well as for ensuring their safety at the base and while travelling and conducting investigative actions out of Russian forces disposition.

Official spokesperson for the Investigative Committee of Russia S. Petrenko