Interaction between investigative committees of Belarus, Russia hailed as close

Brest was not a random choice to host the event. The meeting is held ahead of a memorable date for both the Belarusian and Russian peoples – 22 June. It was Brest where the Great Patriotic War began, and where the beginning of the Great Victory was laid.

Apart from representatives of the investigative committees of the two countries, the meeting featured their colleagues from the State Forensic Examination Committee of Belarus. “Interaction between the Investigative Committee of Belarus and the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation is at the highest level. This year we are holding the fifth joint collegium. There are always issues that need to be discussed. This time we are set to discuss issues related to forensic studies during the criminal process. The world does not stand still, it moves forward. Without the introduction of the latest achievements of science, it will simply be impossible to investigate criminal cases. In a large number of criminal cases, the results of forensic studies are almost decisive evidence,” Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Belarus Dmitry Gora said.

In his words, Belarusian investigators have established close cooperation with Russian counterparts. “Certain murder and terrorism cases were solved thanks to our cooperation. I think the current collegium will open up new opportunities for further cooperation for the benefit of our states,” Dmitry Gora emphasized.

Russian specialists assist in the investigation of the criminal case on the genocide of the Belarusian people. The collegium is set to discuss the application of new forensic methods and tools that will help in the investigation of such crimes.

“We work together on cases of the genocide of the Belarusian people, the peoples of the Soviet Union during the Great Patriotic War. Joint search groups have been set up. They include investigators, forensic experts. We in Russia use a volunteer movement when young people participate in the search for mass graves. Unfortunately, we are still finding unknown mass graves on the territory of Russia. This once again speaks of fascism, genocide in the literal sense of the word. In the graves we find there are soldiers and also many civilians: children, the elderly, women,” Сhairman of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation Alexander Bastrykin said.

At the meeting, representatives of Belarus and Russia will talk about their new achievements and share their experience with colleagues.

“Today, almost no criminal case is completed without a forensic examination. Dozens of expert studies are carried out on the most complex cases. Forensic science requires super-dynamic development. It must be flexible and immediately respond to new challenges and threats,” Chairman of the State Forensic Examination Committee of Belarus Aleksei Volkov said. “The State Forensic Examination Committee is open for cooperation, ready to accept advanced foreign experience and share its own scientific developments.”

Following the meeting, the chairpersons of the investigative committees of Belarus and Russia, the State Forensic Examination Committee are expected to sign a tripartite memorandum on making more effective use of forensic studies in criminal proceedings.