MINSK, 14 August (BelTA) – The system used to distribute the authority over the investigation of criminal cases between government agencies requires substantial corrections. The statement was made by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at a government session held on 14 August to discuss the improvement of crime control laws, the press service of the Belarus President told BelTA. “There is only one gauge: the system must meet present-day requirements instead of being a stale dogma that everyone is afraid of touching,” underlined Alexander Lukashenko. The government session held on 14 August is a logical continuation of the reports that law enforcement agencies are supposed to deliver. This year has seen arguably the largest audits of the State Control Committee, the Interior Ministry and the public prosecution office. “The audits have revealed several problems and simultaneously predetermined ways of improving the operation of these state agencies,” remarked the head of state. The top-priority issues include investigative jurisdiction of criminal cases, quality and effectiveness of investigative work, procedural actions and prevention measures. The audits have revealed that, unfortunately, in some cases the prosecutor’s authorisation does not prevent disregard of the law, thus it fails to perform its functions. Sometimes slow operation of prosecutors, intended delays in issuing authorisation or denial to issue it become a hindrance to timely crime suppression and holding the guilty liable. Alexander Lukashenko reminded that he had requested the President Administration to have a closer look at investigative jurisdiction and prosecutor’s authorisation together with interested agencies. A bill has been worked out and submitted to collegial debates due to its significance. In particular, the bill extends the authority of prosecution agencies, Interior Ministry and state security bodies, empowering them to investigate criminal cases they initiate over any crimes. The responsibility of each and every official will be laid down clearly. Government agencies will no longer be able to shift the responsibility to another agency if unlawful actions are taken. “Life goes on. Criminal actions become more complicated and sophisticated, therefore we will make the rules they way we need to deal with them,” said the head of state. Compliance with the law is the primary imperative, underlined the President. Alexander Lukashenko urged preparing the bill that will amend the regulation of investigative work procedures by 1 January 2010.

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