Investigation into NII "Roskonversvzryvtsentr"

Procedural Developments and Conflicts

• Deputy Prosecutor General Vasily Kolmogorov's Response (December 15, 2000): Kolmogorov reported that the verification material concerning the former director of NII "Roskonversvzryvtsentr" Shchukin Yu. G. was returned to the GUBOB of the MVD of Russia for additional verification measures.
• Procedural Concerns: It was revealed that the prosecutors had removed a significant portion of the case from the Investigative Committee and transferred it to GUBOB for indefinite "additional measures"—the very body from which the materials originated. This raised questions about how a full investigation could proceed in the Investigative Committee under these circumstances.
• Clarification from Moscow Prosecutor: The prosecutor of the Central Administrative District of Moscow, Buksman, clarified the actions of the General Prosecutor's Office:
  • The verification of statements regarding Shchukin Yu. G.'s illegal activities was being conducted by GUBOB MVD RF operative Shchavinsky B. V.
  • Supervision over this unit was maintained by the General Prosecutor's Office of the RF.

Issues with Case Materials

The investigation lacked access to crucial documents:

• Materials from the institute's audit by the Ministry of Education commission sent by Minister Filippov.
• Documents detailing violations in the NII's work.
• Audit materials from the Department for Combating Economic Crimes (OBEP) of the Central Administrative District of Moscow.

The General Prosecutor's Office immediately removed these materials from the case and fragmented them, despite the minister's requests to keep the information consolidated.

Conflicting Directives

• Kolmogorov's Stance: Deputy Prosecutor General Kolmogorov argued that there were no grounds for conducting a full-fledged investigation outside the MVD RF. He informed Minister Filippov: "There are no grounds for removing the criminal case from the Investigative Committee at the MVD RF and taking it into production by the department for the investigation of especially important cases of the General Prosecutor's Office of the RF."
• Parallel Actions: Concurrently, the General Prosecutor's Office removed other high-profile criminal cases from the Investigative Committee at the MVD RF for unrelated reasons, often involving smuggling and money laundering (e.g., the "Three Whales Case," which was closed with procedural violations).
• Discrepancy: It was noted as strange that the prosecutors treated the NII 'Roskonversvzryvtsentr' case differently, leaving it within the MVD. This was attributed to the MVD's strong ties with the institute, which provided premises, paid utilities, and allegedly ignored the illegal transportation of explosives, according to the former head of the institute.

Political Involvement and Subsequent Developments

• Security Council Involvement (Early January 2001): Secretary of the Security Council of the RF Ivanov reacted to Minister of Education Filippov's statement. During a meeting with President Putin, the issue was raised, and Vladimir Putin appeared interested, instructing that the situation be considered at the next Security Council meeting regarding ammunition disposal and export control.
• Institute's Activities (Nikita Chekulin): Former acting director of 'Roskonversvzryvtsentr' Nikita Chekulin reported that institute employees were tasked with preparing materials on problems, achievements, and future tasks. At that time, they were actively involved in creating technological lines for ammunition disposal at military bases in Sevastopol and Kronstadt, and developing new-generation industrial explosives.
• Lack of Follow-up: Weeks passed without any instruction from the Security Council regarding the issue.
• Meeting with Minister Filippov (March 16): During a reception with Minister Filippov, Chekulin learned that no progress would be made, and promised funding for the institute was not expected. When asked directly if Filippov would contact Patrushev (Director of the FSB) regarding the crimes, Filippov replied... (text cuts off).