Investigative Bodies in Russia

Criminal investigations in Russia are run by several agencies, each with its own list of offences fixed in Article 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The main ones are the Investigative Committee (SK), the investigation departments of the Interior Ministry (MVD) and the investigators of the Federal Security Service (FSB). Which agency handles a case depends on the charge, not on the victim's choice or the suspect's wishes.

Knowing who investigates helps to predict the pace of the case, the chances of detention and where complaints should be sent.

The Investigative Committee

The SK became a separate federal agency in 2011, after several years as a unit within the procuracy. It reports directly to the President. Its investigators handle the most serious crimes against the person, including murder, rape and kidnapping, crimes committed by or against officials, law enforcement officers, judges and prosecutors, as well as many crimes involving minors.

The SK also investigates large corruption cases, abuse of office and a wide group of economic offences involving officials.

Interior Ministry Investigators and Inquiry Officers

The MVD carries the largest caseload. Its investigation departments handle theft, fraud, embezzlement, many tax and financial crimes and drug trafficking. Smaller cases go to inquiry officers (doznavateli), who work under a shorter procedure with tighter deadlines.

For businesspeople, the MVD economic security units are often the first contact: they carry out pre-investigation checks, request documents and question employees before any case is opened. What the client says at that stage can later appear in the file.

The Federal Security Service

FSB investigators have a narrow but heavy jurisdiction: treason, espionage, terrorism-related offences, some smuggling of weapons and strategic goods, and illegal border crossing. Detention in these cases is common, and hearings that touch on state secrets are held in closed session.

Defence counsel in FSB cases must sign a non-disclosure undertaking to read classified materials. Access to the client in a pre-trial detention centre is guaranteed by law but can be slowed in practice.

Who Handles What

The lines between agencies are not always clear.

Where an offence falls under several articles, or several defendants face different charges, the prosecutor decides on jurisdiction.

Other Agencies With Inquiry Powers

Customs, bailiffs and fire safety authorities also conduct inquiries into a limited set of offences within their fields. Customs officers, for example, handle inquiries into evasion of customs payments.

The suspect's rights do not depend on the agency: counsel from the first questioning, copies of key decisions and the right to complain.

Practical Consequences for a Suspect

A person may be detained for up to 48 hours before a court rules on a preventive measure. From the moment of detention, the suspect has the right to a lawyer and the right to remain silent. A foreign citizen may also request consular notification and an interpreter.

Complaints about investigators go to the head of the investigative body and to the supervising prosecutor. Court review of their actions is available at the location of the investigating body.

Choosing the First Steps

Relatives abroad often learn about a case from a short phone call or a news report. The first task is to find out which agency opened the case and under which article. That information defines the timetable and the defence plan. Attorney Elena Petrova helps families in California obtain these details and arrange defence counsel at the place of investigation.

The main channel of communication with the attorney is email: attorneypetrova1@gmail.com.