All news

Interior Ministry rejects SK accusations of inappropriate statements

"We do not need the assistance of PR bodies of other departments," an Interior Ministry official underlined

MOSCOW, November 20 (Itar-Tass) — The Interior Ministry rejected the accusations by the Investigative Committee (SK) of inappropriateness of comments on the investigation into the case against Oboronservis officials. It said it would continue to comprehensively report on its work.

"As for correctness and authenticity of the information provided by police to the mass media, who better than the detectives who directly obtained, checked and documented the information about the wrongdoers' illegal activity can evaluate the expediency of its coverage in the mass media," an Interior Ministry official said.

In addition, the Ministry has enough competent and professional personnel for independently highlighting the activity of the Ministry, so we do not need the assistance of PR bodies of other departments," he underlined.

The official also assured that this work would continue with the framework of the principle of the openness of police to the society.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Investigative Committee called the statements by the Interior Ministry regarding the Oboronservis case "inappropriate spin".

"Due to numerous publications and comments by police officials on the crimes committed by executives of the Oboronservis holding and by a number of directors of commercial bodies, related to the activity of the Defence Ministry, the Investigative Committee explains that these criminal cases are being handled by the SK's main military investigation department," the SK said.

"The role of police in these criminal cases is reduced to the fulfilment of certain instructions issued by the investigator. The official and therefore authentic information on the criminal case can only be issued by the investigative body handling the case. All other information is incorrect, unauthentic and is regarded as inappropriate spin which obstructs objective probe and the establishment of truth.

"In this connection, the SK warns about spreading the information which has not been coordinated with the investigators. Given the publicity, the SK intends to inform the public on time about the cause of the investigation into these criminal cases, but within the framework of the law and in the amount which does not contradict the interests of the investigation.