The Chairman of the Investigative Committee listened to the report of the Main Investigation Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for St. Petersburg on the progress of the investigation of criminal cases launched on the abuse of power by persons involved in the demolition of historical buildings, and the Chairman of the Investigative Committee severely criticized the work of subordinate officers, recognizing it as unsatisfactory.

The Head of the Department filed the criminal cases on the demolition of cultural heritage sites and other historical buildings to the Main Investigation Directorate of the Russian Investigative Committee for further investigation.

Also Mr. A.I. Bastrykin instructed to create a special investigative group in the Main Investigation Directorate of the Russian Investigative Committee related to investigation of cases on the destruction of cultural heritage in St. Petersburg. Investigators will comprehensively study the circumstances, causes and conditions that lead to the destruction and loss of cultural monuments. And the actions (inactions) of officials will be given a fundamental legal assessment, if the destruction or damage to cultural heritage sites and other historical buildings continues was due to mentioned above reasons.

In addition, the Head of the Department will hold a meeting with the historic preservation activists of St. Petersburg, who can assist the investigation in obtaining information about other facts of the destruction of historical monuments of the cultural capital.