The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has said that it is investigating the circumstances of the illegal wiretapping and filming of representatives of the Bihus.Info investigative journalist project.
Criminal proceedings have been opened under Article 359 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal acquisition, sale or use of special technical means of obtaining information).
The SBU noted that transparent and unhindered work of independent and professional media is an important condition for the development of Ukraine as a democratic state.
"Such facts of surveillance should be legally assessed, regardless of whether or not the covert footage revealed facts of possible violations of the law related to drug trafficking. This can be assessed exclusively by law-enforcement agencies within their jurisdiction," the SBU said.
Earlier, the parliamentary committee on freedom of speech said it would contact the SBU regarding the wiretapping of Bihus.info journalists. It will also hold a meeting on other facts of journalists facing pressure.
The day before, journalist Denys Bihus, a key figure behind the Bihus.info project, said that his team members had been under surveillance for a long time, as the footage released contains conversations of the project's interlocutors edited out of the episodes that were months apart.
On 16 January, covert footage was published on the Internet showing that Bihus.Info employees were allegedly using illegal substances. Bihus said that all employees would take drug tests and that there would be "tough personnel changes" in the team.