Support The Moscow Times!

Head of Russia's Investigative Committee Bastrykin Resigns

Alexander Bastrykin Kremlin Press Service

Alexander Bastrykin, the head of Russia’s powerful Investigative Committee and one of the country’s most senior figures in the federal security services, has submitted his letter resignation, the RBC news website reported Monday.

The resignation letter was submitted on Sept. 20 to President Vladimir Putin Sep 20 and is currently being considered.

Earlier this month, RBC reported that Bastrykin would step down after Russia's parliamentary elections on Sept. 18. He has led the Investigative Committee for nearly a decade, beginning in 2007, when the agency was still a part of the General Prosecutor’s Office. The Investigative Committee’s prominent spokesman Vladimir Markin also resigned earlier this month.

The Investigative Committee has recently been rocked by a series of high-level dismissals and arrests as part of ongoing corruption investigations. Bastrykin himself railed against the officials “betrayal” and “besmirching” of the department’s reputation.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysiss and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more