Russians Decline to Set Up an Investigative Crew on Zavadsky`s Disappearance :: Charter'97 :: News

"Y.S.News" agency received a letter from the deputy Russian prosecutor general, who wrote on behalf of his boss Vladimir Ustinov: "As concerns legal proceedings on the disappearance of the cameraman of the Belarusian ORT Bureau Dmitry Zavadsky, the Belarusian procuracy has numerously contacted us, seeking international help in resolving this incident. Their requests were satisfied and all the necessary investigation procedures on the territory of Moscow and other Russian regions were conducted. The concomitant files were passed over to the requesting side. In the meantime the Russian general procuracy considers the possibility to set up a special investigation crew to handle the case…"

As you remember, in February this year Vladimir Ustinov was quoted by the "Y.S.News" as saying the following:

"I figure, the investigation is carried out by the Belarusian procuracy. Indeed, certain investigation actions were undertaken by us upon their request. Unfortunately, there`s no way I can answer your question now, but let me just tell you that our detectives did investigate into the matter, which is no secret. Should you want to learn something more concrete about our findings, feel free to address us in written form and we`ll respond adequately."

Responding to the claims by the former head of the revision and control department of the Belarusian Ministry of Culture Alexander Grachev, who said that Alexander Lukashenko sacked prosecutor general Oleg Bozhelko because the detectives traced down Dmitry Pavluchenko - the interior forces commander, allegedly confiscating from him $120.000 and 16 video-tapes with scenes of murders, Vladimir Ustinov noted this:

"I`m not ready right now to comment on the actions of the Belarusian president, for I`m unaware of what`s going on there. However, as for the investigation procedures on the territory of Russia, I guess, you`ll be given an exhaustive answer."

Whatever he meant by the word "exhaustive" doesn`t characterize the answer that our agency finally received.