MOSCOW, March 7. /TASS/. Russia’s Investigative Committee received approval to initiate criminal proceedings against 23 judges last year, its chief, Alexander Bastrykin, said at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

"Requests for criminal prosecution against 23 judges have been submitted to the High Qualification Collegium of Judges; all of them have been reviewed and upheld," he said.

Bastrykin also noted that criminal cases against 12 judges have already been submitted to courts.