Prosecutor General Chaika: Civil society’s interference in justice system’s work is unacceptable

(Interfax – MOSCOW, April 27, 2013) Russian Prosecutor General Yury Chaika sees as unacceptable civil society’s pressure on the justice system.

“Everyone should mind their own business. When a civil society institution reviews a court ruling, in my opinion, this is just unacceptable,” Chaika said taking questions from Federation Council members on Saturday.

“There is nothing unusual in the fact that civil society expresses its position on this or that event or criminal case,” Chaika said. “But it is categorically forbidden to interfere in or put pressure on the investigation,” he said in commenting on a remark by a Federation Council member regarding various public hearings and analyses of high-profile criminal cases.

The Prosecutor General’s Office has an academic and advisory body comprised of 50 people, including experts and human rights defenders, Chaika said. “We always listen to their opinion and take it into account. There is no problem here,” he said.