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According to the criminal procedural law, an investigation or a probe can be initiated, among other, by mass media reports. Investigative Committee staff monitors mass media reports on a round-the-clock basis in order to detect reports on committed crimes or crimes being prepared, and such reports frequently provide grounds for the Investigative Committee to interfere and respond.

For instance, a number of media outlets reported that, on November 22, a 2-year-old boy was found in the entrance hall of an apartment building in Podolsk, wearing only underwear. It was established that his mother being under influence of alcohol left him unattended. It turned out that the boy did not even have his own bed and had been sleeping on a blanket on a cold floor. Upon the results of the preliminary investigation, the Podolsk Investigative Department of the Moscow Regional Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia opened an investigation into the 30-year-old mother of the child.

Moreover, law-related programmes on federal TV channels broadcast reports on the death of a man in Kaliningrad Emergency Hospital on November 23. The Kaliningrad Regional Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russia is investigating into the failure to provide medical assistance.

One of social TV programmes broadcast a critical report about the investigation of a murder of a local citizen in Anastasievskaya settlement in Krasnodar Territory. A fellow-villager of the victim was suspected of committing the murder and arrested. The broadcaster reported violations committed during the investigation and beating of the suspect by police officers. All such information will be checked.

Also, on November 27, a number of federal TV channels reported about a coach of one of sports sections in Naro-Fominsk who used physical violence against a 9-year-old boy by kicking him in the head during practice. This was a punishment for the student’s walking to a wrong corner by mistake after sparring. Upon the results of the preliminary investigation, the Naro-Fominsk Investigative Department of the Moscow Regional Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia opened an investigation into this case.

All facts outlined by mass media will be checked during probes and the investigation. Actions (inaction) of responsible persons will be given a legal assessment. Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia Alexander Bastrykin instructed to check completeness of investigative activities carried out in relation to media reports and to report on progress and results of probes and investigations. The Central Office will supervise all of them.

Official spokesperson for the Investigative Committee of Russia S. Petrenko