Chief of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Valentyn Nalyvaichenko says that a national tribunal needs to be created in Ukraine to investigate crimes committed by former authorities, and then the materials could be sent to an international court in the Hague.

Speaking in an interview with Channel 5 on Thursday, Nalyvaichenko said that it is necessary to legislatively establish a national tribunal and "bring together in one case" all those crimes committed by former authorities.

Answering a question on whether the Hague Tribunal can investigate these crimes, Nalyvaichenko answered: "The investigation should be carried out in Ukraine first."

The SBU chief stresses that Ukraine needs to pass a law that would oblige the national tribunal to investigate crimes committed by former authorities.

In his words, there is enough evidence of the crimes committed, but victims and their relatives need to give testimony.

Answering a question whether the SBU is aware of the presence of spies and traitors in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) headquarters, Nalyvaichenko said: "The military counter-intelligence department works properly ... As of today, we can say they [traitors] don't exist in the ATO headquarters."