Interpol to help investigate Domodedovo airport bombing

19:45, 27 September 2011

MOSCOW. September 27. KAZINFORM Interpol will take an active part in investigating the terrorist attack at the Domodedovo airport in January 2011, head of the department for international cooperation under the Investigative Committee (SK) Mikhail Yadrov said at a meeting at the Interior Ministry marking the 21st anniversary of Russia's joining the world's largest international police organization; Kazinform refers to Itar-Tass.

Russian investigators have launched two-way information exchange with Interpol and already receive answers to a number of inquiries pertaining to the investigation.

Yadrov reminded that Russia had requested to help it gather information during the visit to Interpol's headquarters in Lyon by a delegation led by SK chief Alexander Bastrykin.

Specifically, the Russian side was interested in the information about the foreigners hurt in the explosion.

"We saw full mutual understanding and support at a meeting with Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble in the issue of cooperation in investigating the act of terror," he added.

He noted that it is Interpol that provides priceless help in investigating criminal cases, especially, when it is necessary to ascertain the whereabouts of the suspect, or confirm that he or she is in the territory of this or that state.

At the same time, the SK official complained that the issue of getting quick answers to requests for international legal assistance is still a problem.

"This mechanism has serious shortcomings; it's a multi-tier procedure, as it takes months for the inquiry reach the addressee, and the answers take as long to get back," Yadrov said.

"Therefore, it is important to speed up the procedure," he went on to say noting that Interpol has a large potential. "For example, delivering the inquiry on providing legal assistance within the case of the poisoning of Russian citizens in Turkey in May 2011 was reduced to 4 - 5 days, whereas normally, it would take several weeks."

Representatives of the main criminal investigation department, the bureau of special technical measures and other Interior Ministry departments, as well as departments of the Federal Security Service, the federal drug control service, the department for combating contraband under the Federal Customs Service, as permanent partners of the National central Bureau of Interpol (NTSB) and its regional branches, congratulated it on the 21st anniversary of the establishment.

See www.itar-tass.com for full story

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