The Prosecutor-General's Office (PGO) has instructed investigators of the State Bureau of Investigation's (SBI) Main Investigation Department to conduct a pre-trial investigation in a criminal case initiated at the request of a representative of the Bihus.info journalist project.
According to the press service of the PGO, the case concerns the illegal installation and use of special technical means of covertly obtaining information in a countryside complex in Kyiv Region.
The PGO explained that since law enforcement officers are likely to be involved in the crime, the pre-trial investigation is under the SBI jurisdiction.
The agency also said that it would host a meeting between prosecutors and journalists in the near future. Such meetings are held in accordance with the signed memorandum of understanding and cooperation between the Prosecutor-General's Office and media and human rights organisations. They review all such cases and take the necessary measures to ensure a fair investigation and punishment of the perpetrators.
What is known about the wiretapping of the Bihus.Info project team
· On 5 February, Bihus.Info said that its employees were being followed by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). Investigators managed to identify those who carried out the operation to install hidden cameras in the hotel rooms where the editorial staff was staying on 27 December 2023.
· The SBU later released a statement saying that one of Bihus.Info's operators was allegedly involved in a criminal case involving drug trafficking.
· On 6 February, parliament voted to summon SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk to report on the case of illegal surveillance of journalists.
· Immediately afterwards, the SBU released a statement by Malyuk, in which he promised to do everything possible to ensure that every media outlet could work freely in Ukraine.