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Alexander Bastrykin holds operational meeting on results of regional investigative departments in the first six months of 2021

Alexander Bastrykin, Chairman of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, held an operational meeting via videoconference with the First Deputy and deputies of the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia, heads of the Central Office departments, regional investigations directorates and educational institutions of the Investigative Committee of Russia. Summing up the work of the regional investigative departments of the Investigative Committee of Russia in H1 2021 was the agenda of the event.

Before turning to the main issue, the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia heard reports from the heads of the regional investigative departments on a number of high-profile incidents in some regions of the country.

The head of the Lipetsk Regional Investigative Department has reported on the procedural check based on video footage published on social media. In the footage, the mother of a disabled child and teachers at Usman Correctional School questioned the actions of the staff of Usman Maternity Hospital in providing obstetric and gynaecological care to women during childbirth. The Сhairman of the Investigative Committee has given instructions to thoroughly check all the arguments of the complainants, putting the results of the pre-investigation check under control of the Central Office of the Investigative Committee of Russia.

The Chairman of the Investigative Committee also heard reports from the regional investigative departments on the current results of the investigation into criminal cases involving the death and injury of children: the death of a 10-month-old boy in a hit-and-run accident in Voronezhviolation of children's rights in a boarding school in Irkutsk Region; the murder of a young girl and attempted murder of her mother in Tula Regionthe mass poisoning of children on a Murmansk-Adler train

In addition, at the request of the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia, the Head of the Volgograd Regional Investigative Department reported on the ongoing inquiry into the inadequate care of a boy in one of the city's hospitals. Alexander Bastrykin instructed the Information Centre of the Investigative Committee of Russia to assist the regional unit in establishing contacts through social networks with citizens who have similar information. The head of the Voronezh Regional Investigative Department reported on the progress of the investigation into the probe concerning the violation of the rights of a minor girl hospitalised in a medical institution. Aleksandr Bastrykin criticised the work of the latter, pointing to the need for a more rapid response to such facts and the protection of minors' rights. 

The Chairman of the Investigative Committee was also reported on the circumstances of an accident involving an Investigative Committee vehicle in Moscowan incident in which an elderly man in Lyubertsy was beatenthe findings in criminal probes into an accident involving a passenger bus in the Saratov regionand the improper provision of care for a 95-year-old pensioner in the Sverdlovsk region.

For a number of incidents, Aleksandr Bastrykin has requested investigation plans, weekly detailed reports and put the preliminary investigation into them under the control of the agency's central office.

Referring to the results of the work of the regional investigative departments in the H1 2021, the Head of the Investigative Committee said there had been a consistent improvement in the speed and quality of the preliminary investigation. Investigators have referred 48,523 criminal cases against 50,797 accused persons to the courts. 1,621 offences committed by organised groups and criminal associations were investigated. 5,091 corruption cases have been referred to the courts, including those against 242 persons with special legal status. Active criminal law measures are being taken to suppress abuses in the implementation of the national projects of the Russian Federation. A total of 337 criminal cases have been initiated, 87 of which have already been referred to court.

The Investigative Committee is constantly monitoring the protection of citizens' labour rights. A total of 398 criminal cases involving non-payment of wages were referred to court; a further 425 cases were discontinued in connection with full reparation by the defendants and active repentance. During the investigation, the injured workers were paid 2.4 billion roubles in arrears. The property of the accused, worth 1.7 bln roubles, has been seized at the request of investigators.

Work to protect children from criminal abuse is carried out in a targeted manner. A total of 6,347 criminal cases involving such offences were brought to court. At the same time, measures are taken to prevent minors from engaging in illegal activities. A total of 4,299 criminal cases concerning offences committed by minors have been brought to court.

In coordinated cooperation with the investigative bodies of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Federal Security Service, 4,674 crimes of past years were solved. This includes 481 murders, 279 cases of serious and fatal injury to health, 274 rapes and 1,537 other serious and particularly serious crimes.

During the pre-trial investigation, 37.7 bln roubles have been paid to victims and the state so far in 2021. In addition, property worth 34.9 bln roubles of suspects and defendants has been seized.

The work of the Udmurtia, Chuvashia and Mordovia Republican Investigative Departments, Primorye, Arkhangelsk and Nenets Regional Investigative Departments was commended.

At the same time, the meeting examined the reasons for shortcomings in the work of some regional investigative departments. The event heard reports from the heads of the Kalmykia Republic Investigative Department and the Tver and Yaroslavl Regional Investigative Departments. The head of the ministry demanded a thorough analysis of the problems and set a number of specific tasks for the heads of the regional departments mentioned. He demanded that effective measures be taken as soon as possible to promptly remedy the shortcomings discussed, including in personnel and management, if necessary. 

The meeting also discussed the readiness of cadet institutions for the new school year and the recruitment of students. For example, the Volgograd Cadet Corps of the Investigative Committee of Russia has admitted 75 children, including 38 orphans and children deprived of parental care. The Head of the Investigative Committee has instructed his subordinates to once again study the needs of the cadet corps and, if there are any, to resolve these issues before the start of the school year.

At the end of the meeting, the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia thanked the heads and officers of the investigative bodies who had achieved good results. At the same time, Alexander Bastrykin demanded that his subordinates build their follow-up work taking into account regional specifics and the crime situation. Priority should be given to real results aimed at protecting the rights of citizens and other participants in criminal proceedings.