Pretrial investigation of Bihus.info case to be handled by SBI investigators – PGO
Pretrial investigation in criminal proceedings at the request of journalists of Bihus.info will be conducted by the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI), taking into account the possible involvement of law enforcement officers in the crime, the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) reports.
"The PGO instructed the investigators of the Main Investigative Department of the State Bureau of Investigations to carry out a pretrial investigation in criminal proceedings initiated at the request of a representative of the editorial office of Bihus.info regarding the illegal establishment and use of special technical means of secretly obtaining information in the premises of a suburban complex in the territory of Kyiv region (Part 1 of Article 359 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)," the PGO said on the Telegram channel on Tuesday.
"Given that law enforcement officers are likely to be involved in the commission of this criminal offense, the pretrial investigation in criminal proceedings is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State Bureau of Investigations," the message emphasizes.
"Violations of journalists' rights are unacceptable and are subject to careful consideration and proper response. The Prosecutor's Office has obligations to guarantee the protection of journalists from any form of pressure and harassment, and journalists receive information about this work. It is for this purpose that the PGO has a ‘platform for protecting the rights of journalists,’" said Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin, quoted by the press service.
It is also noted that "a special unit in the PGO is constantly working to study all violations against journalists and ensures proper measures are taken to protect their rights and interests. In accordance with the signed memorandum of understanding and cooperation between the Prosecutor General’s Office and media and human rights organizations, working meetings are held with media representatives, at which all such cases are carefully considered and necessary measures are taken to ensure a fair investigation and punishment of the perpetrators."
"The latest meeting of prosecutors and journalists took place in January 2024, and the next one will be held in the near future," the message says.