MOSCOW, January 15. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated the staff and veterans of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation on the anniversary of the committee’s establishment as an independent federal state agency.

"Today, your professional qualities, courage and dedication are vital to the fulfilment of critical tasks related to ensuring law and order in Donbass and Novorossiya. Working in a complicated environment, investigators, forensics staff and experts are taking part in the investigation of neo-Nazi crimes against civilians, and you are serving Russia with honesty," he said in a congratulatory telegram published on the Kremlin website.

The Russian leader stressed that the Investigative Committee is one of the essential and key links in the national law enforcement system. Its operatives are at the forefront of the battle against crime and corruption, firmly upholding Russia’s interests and protecting the rights and freedoms of its citizens.

"I have no doubt that you will continue to safeguard and promote the traditions of the service’s veterans and will do your duty commendably," Putin concluded.

The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation was founded on January 15, 2011 as an independent federal state agency.