Interview with the Head of the Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia in the Republic of Ingushetia Ibrahim Mogushkov to "Ingushetia" newspaper

"The investigation department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Ingushetia summed up the six-month results of 2012"

Correspondent. Mr. Mogushkov! Most recently, the six-month results have been summed up on the expanded board of the investigation department. In this regard, please tell us what areas of activities have been given special attention of the leadership of the department within this period?

I. Mogushkov. Yes, indeed, July 13, 2012 an expanded meeting of the board was held in the Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia in the Republic of Ingushetia. The prosecutor of the republic Pavel Belyakov, Interior Minister Alexander Trofimov, Acting Head of the Russian Federal Security Service in the Republic of Ingushetia Sergei Kulkin, members of the Board of the Investigation Department, the heads of its subdivisions, including regional bodies took part in the meeting to sum up the results of the activities in the first half of 2012 and set goals for the second half of 2012.

In the first half of 2012 the Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia in the Republic of Ingushetia continued to fulfill its tasks in the field of criminal justice in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, normative legal acts of the Investigative Committee of Russia.

The investigation department continued legislation activity related to the processing of a base of regulations and organizational and administrative documents of the department in order to adapt their requirements to the problems the investigating authorities are facing with.

The organization of preliminary investigation and procedural control continued to be under constant review of the investigation department, the have been studied in various supervisory and analytical activities. The most important and problematic issues have been discussed at the meetings of the board of the investigation department. The measures taken in the past period allowed us to achieve positive results in key areas.

Correspondent. Could you describe the crime situation in the republic in the first half of this year?

I. Mogushkov. 877 crimes have been registered on the territory of the Republic of Ingushetia in the first half of this year, which is 21.2% less than the same period last year (1113 crimes). In this case there is a significant reduction in the number of especially grave crimes (by 32.8%, from 180 to 121 crimes), grave crimes (by 27.4%, from 259 to 188 crimes) and crimes of medium gravity (by 41.9%; from 449 to 261 crimes).

11 murders and attempted murders (- 38.9%), 4 facts of intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm (- 42.9%), one rape (100%) have been registered.

The investigation department has completed 10 cases of murder during the reporting period, which is a quarter more than the same period last year. However, in the first six months of last year, only a half of the completed cases of this category were taken to court, in the current year, this proportion rose to 80% (8 of 10 completed cases).

At the same time, a burst of activity of the so-called gangster underground has been registered. The number of crimes of infringement on the lives of law enforcement officers and military personnel has increased by 50% in the reporting period in comparison with the same period last year (from 14 to 21 crimes). At the same time the level of disclosure of serious crimes has risen by more than 3%.

Total 321 cases were in proceeding, of which 146 were completed, i.e. 45.5%. At the same time 135 criminal cases were taken to court (92.5% of the finished cases).

Correspondent. How would you describe the qualitative side of your inferiors?

I. Mogushkov. See. This year, there were no facts of the rehabilitative decisions in the pre-trial stage, the criminal cases were not sent back by the courts under the article 237 of the RF Criminal Procedure Code to remove the obstacles to further proceeding, no verdicts of non-guilty were returned by the court on the cases finished by the Investigative Department. I think these figures are enough for a positive assessment of the investigators work.

Correspondent. Please tell us about the priorities of the work of the investigation department.

I. Mogushkov. One of the main priorities of the Investigation Department is to fight crimes of extremism and terrorism, as well as attempts on the lives of law enforcement officers and military personnel, protection of the rights and freedoms of our citizens, the rights of minors and other vulnerable social groups. Comparing the today situation with the situation a few years ago, we can confidently state that the steps taken in this period have allowed us to improve the quality of the work significantly.

The today positions in this area have been reached thanks largely to a fruitful activity of the Standing Interagency coordinative and analytical investigation group on the disclosure and investigation of terrorist offenses and other crimes that have caused wide public resonance which had been formed two years ago. The mechanisms of cooperation worked out in the two-year period have actually improved the quality of the work on disclosure and investigation of crimes. Problematic issues are communicated to the leadership of relevant departments directly at the meetings of the Group. 49 persons involved in crimes of this category have been established as a result of a close contact between the investigators and the law enforcement agencies and a tight control over their activities by the leadership of both departments.

As we have already noted, 21 offenses under Art. 317 of the RF Criminal Code have been registered on the territory of the republic for 6 months in 2012, which is 50% higher than in the same period last year (14 offenses).

Correspondent. Mr. Mogushkov! There is no secret that there have been cases of abduction in the republic. Tell us, how many cases of this category have been registered in the first half of this year?

I. Mogushkov. To be fair, people are disappearing not only in our republic, but also in other regions of the Russian Federation. However, yes, indeed, despite the measures taken in this area by the leadership of the republic have allowed us to reduce the number of cases of abduction to almost zero, this problem have become urgent in the previous year and this year as well, so, it evokes a wide response of the population.

4 cases of abduction that caused wide public resonance have been registered in the reporting period. The investigating authorities filed criminal cases on all these facts, all the necessary investigation and search operations are being conducted in close cooperation with the authorities responsible for the operational-search activities, which, I hope, will bring positive results.

Correspondent. I feel you have something to say on the crimes of the past. Please say a few words about this area of activity?

I. Mogushkov. You are absolutely right. Work on the disclosure of crimes committed in previous years remains one of the priorities of the investigation department. And we have achieved serious results in this area. Thus, 33 crimes of this category have been solved during the reporting period, including 4 crimes of murder, 7 attempts on the lives of law enforcements officers and military service persons, as well as of those administering justice and a preliminary investigation, abduction, rape and other grave and especially grave crimes.

Here I would like to mention a criminal case launched 13 years ago against the 37-year-old inhabitant of the Chechen Republic Bislan Ginerdukaev on charges of committing a series of crimes, including murder, abduction, committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy, with the threat of violence dangerous to life and health, with a weapon, extortion in large-scale and illegal acquisition, storage, transportation and possession of weapons and ammunition.

Thus, February 12, 1998 a 39-year-old resident of the village Yandare of the Nazranovsky district of Ingushetia Adam Daurbekov was found dead on the outskirts with a gunshot wound to the chest. This crime had remained unsolved for years.

The well-planned and organized work allowed the investigators to obtain the necessary evidence to establish location and to arrest Bislan Ginerdukaev suspected of murder, he lived under other personal data after committing a crime.

Prior to the arrest, the operational staff of the Criminal Investigation Department of Russian Interior Ministry in the Republic of Ingushetia in cooperation with the 2nd operational investigation unit of the Main Directorate of Russian Interior Ministry in the North Caucasus Federal District and the Ministry of Interior of Russia in the Chechen Republic have carried out a search operation in the apartment of one of the suspects and seized firearms and bladed weapons, as well as an improvised explosive device, the so-called “Hatabka”.

It should be noted that a large volume of work was carried out under this case, including multiple work trips of the investigators and operatives in the Krasnodar Territory and the Chechen Republic. The testimony of the victim was verified at the scene of crime on the territory of the Republic of Ingushetia and the Chechen Republic, a 44-year-old resident of the Krasnodar region pointed to the place of his abduction and subsequent detention in November 1997. The victims and witnesses were confronted with the accused Ginerdukaev.

The executed work has allowed the investigators to establish and question about 70 witnesses of a crime.

A number of grave and especially grave crimes have been revealed in the frame of investigation on this case.

The suspected of these crimes – the residents of the Chechen Republic 33-year-old Aslan Anzorov and 32-year-old Magomed Zakayev , and a 39-year-old resident of the Republic of Ingushetia Adam Daurbekov – were established.

According to the investigators, in the evening of February 12, 1998, being on the outskirts of the village Yandare of the Nazranovsky district, near the federal highway "Kavkaz", during a quarrel arose on the basis of previously established hostile relations connected with the abduction of a resident of the Krasnodar Territory and the ransom demands, Ginerdukaev committed the murder of Adam Daurbekov using a firearm which he had on himself..

The suspects Anzorov and Zakayev had died under different circumstances in the period from 1997 to 2009. Criminal proceedings against them were terminated in connection with their deaths.

Court sentenced Ginerdukaev to imprisonment for a term of 11 years to be served in a maximum security penal colony.

Correspondent. Indeed, the numbers and what you have said sound impressive. Mr. Mogushkov! Could you say a few words about the results of the work of the Investigation Department on crimes of corruption? I think you will agree with me when I say that corruption is a real scourge in any society?

I. Mogushkov. This cannot be argued. I can say that the investigation department has given special attention to the crimes related with corruption. Anti-Corruption Issues have been discussed at interagency and coordination meetings of the leaders of law enforcement agencies of the republic. The Investigation Department staff participates in the interagency working groups on a monthly basis. The mass media is being actively involved. An interdepartmental working group on anticorruption efforts operates in the Investigative Department; it comprises the staff of the investigation department, Federal Security Service Directorate and Interior Ministry of Russia in the Republic of Ingushetia. This group is making a significant contribution to the investigation and disclosure of crimes of corruption.

33 criminal cases of this category have been taken to court with indictment in the reporting period; it is more than tripled over the same period last year. In addition, 16 criminal cases of bribery by non-officials have been taken to court.

In general, damage caused by crimes of this category amounted to 52 million 712 thousand rubles.

December 13, 2011, the Acting Chief Physician of the Ingush Republican Hospital I. Pliev, as an official of the public institution, using his official powers against the interests of the service, acting to his own non-property benefit – trying to cater to the Minister of Health of the Republic of Ingushetia and create a false image of an active and efficient worker for further promotion, in violation of the Federal Law № 94 "On placing orders for goods, works and services for state and municipal needs "of July 21, 2005, without holding a public auction, made a state contract with LLC "Yug-Standard " on major repair works of the departments of the Ingush Republican Hospital for a total of more than 47 million rubles allocated under the republican target program "Modernization of the Healthcare Service in the Republic of Ingushetia in 2011-2012."

December 26, 2011 in order to transfer funds provided by the State contract for major repair works in the Ingush Republican Hospital in Nazran to LLC "Yug-Standard ", in violation of the law, intentionally using his official powers against the interests of the service, he signed the fictional acceptance certificates for 47 million rubles, knowing that the works specified in these acts had not been carried out.

These actions of I. Pliev caused a material damage to the state in the specified amount and resulted in substantial violation of the rights and lawful interests of citizens and legally protected interests of society and the state, expressed in violation of citizens' rights to affordable and quality health care, and undermining the prestige of the executive authorities - the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Ingushetia.

Thus, I. Pliev committed an offense under Part 1 of Art.285 of the RF Criminal Code.

During preliminary investigation the investigation department managed to get back more than 47 million rubles, which amounts to 90.3% of the inflicted damage.

Following the direction given by the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia, who always orients all the investigation units to the maximum possible openness in their work, accessibility to the needs of ordinary citizens, the activities of the investigation department in this area is being constantly improved.

Correspondent. We know that you are visiting territorial investigation departments every week conducting reception of citizens in the field. Are you going to continue to carry out this work?

I. Mogushkov. This work is carried out pursuant to the order of the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation "On improvement of citizens' reception in the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation." Indeed, I, and in the case of my absence - my deputies, perform weekly personal receptions of citizens in the territorial divisions of the investigation department. In the past period of 2012 I have personally performed 24 field receptions and met with 40 people. The staff of the Investigative Department met with 144 citizens at personal receptions, including 88 citizens who were received directly by the heads of the investigation department and its territorial divisions and with their deputies as well. The cooperative reception of citizens by the heads of the investigation departments together with the heads of the respective municipalities has been organized to provide convenience for the citizens of the republic, including traveling to remote settlements of the territories of responsibility, "hotlines" of the investigation department and territorial investigative bodies are available around a clock.

The citizens mainly apply on the issues of inclusion in the list of personnel for the Investigation Department to enter into service, be appointed as a public assistant of the investigator, to carry out pre-trial investigation, etc.

Correspondent. The publications almost daily posted on the official website of the Investigation Department, in periodicals, speeches of the department staff on the television and radio, show that you pay serious attention to the media coverage of the activities of the investigation department. I would like to say, this is my personal opinion, that today Investigation Department is one of the most open to the public agencies of Ingushetia in terms of information. Would you comment this?

I. Mogushkov. The leadership of the Investigation Department pays great attention to this area of activities. I think it would be enough if I say that the work of the Investigative Department is actively covered by the media of both federal and regional levels. 869 media appearances have taken place during 6 months of 2012, including 58 in the press, 54 on the radio and 32 on the television. 725 informations have been published in the Internet and information agencies, of which 212 – on the official website of the Investigative Department.

Correspondent. Staff always determines the image of the enterprise, organization, and, of course, law enforcement agency. What measures are being taken to improve qualifications of the department employees?

I. Mogushkov. Staff development is given special attention in the Investigation Department. It is one of the most important areas of activities of the leadership. Active measures are being taken to improve the qualifications of the employees for the morale in team is an important factor. Psycho-physiological examination with the use of a polygraph is always carried out while selecting candidates for service.

22 teaching seminars have been carried out during the period under review, 11 employees have been sent to the Rostov branch of the Institute for Advanced Training. Every year the investigation department carries out a contest for the title of "The Best Investigator." All work we have carried out in this area is yielding favorable results, which are being immediately reflected on the work of the department as a whole.

I would like to point out that the investigation department officers had been working for all these years and keep working without regard to personal time. Investigators and other departmental employees immediately depart to the scenes at any time, in any weather, even in hard-to-reach mountainous and wooded lands. They have repeatedly been subjected to attacks and undermining of the participants in the bandit underground at the scenes, some of them had been wounded.

These facts receive proper attention of the leadership of the Investigative Committee of Russia.

Some employees have already been awarded the Order of Courage, and other state awards.

By orders of the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia five employees of the investigation department have received the departmental awards in the first half of this year.

The Investigation Department staff enjoys unstinted support of the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia Alexander Bastrykin, who perfectly understands the conditions in which the departmental staff has to carry out the professional duties.

Correspondent. Which tasks do you intend to focus attention on further?

I. Mogushkov. The main issues that the Investigation Department intends to continue to focus attention on are the continuation of the progressive efforts to improve quality and efficiency of the preliminary investigation, strengthening of cooperation in work with law enforcement and regulatory agencies to identify, disclose, investigate and combat corruption, the adoption of comprehensive measures for the strict observance of the constitutional rights of participants in criminal proceedings, protection of the rights and freedoms of the citizens, the rights of minors and other vulnerable social groups. Particular attention will be given to the citizens’ applications.

I would like to say that today the Investigation Department presents a strong, capable team of like-minded people, able to cope with the tasks in priority areas designated by the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia, Alexander Bastrykin, which primarily include protection of the rights and freedoms of man and the citizen, efficient investigation of crimes.

Correspondent: Mr. Mogushkov, thank you very much for the informative, honest and frank conversation, which, once again, proved the maximum information transparency of the investigation department. This fact certainly contributes to raising public confidence in the work of your department.

I. Mogushkov: Thank you.