SSU seizes disks with recordings of cameras of secret shooting of Bihus.Info team
Representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine searched the suburban complex where the Bihus.Info. team members were secretly filmed and seized hard drives with CCTV footage.
According to Censor.NET, this was reported by journalists of Bihus.Info.
"When the journalists arrived at the scene, the investigative actions with the video media had already been completed, and the hard drives and the recorder themselves had been seized. In his commentary, the SSU representative said that he could not provide an opportunity to make copies, because, according to him, the hard drives "have already been seized and packed in a safe package". At the same time, he advised the journalists to apply to the SSU for copies the next day," the report said.
As the publication emphasises, the search was carried out within the framework of open criminal proceedings under Article 359 of the Criminal Code (illegal acquisition, sale or use of special technical means of obtaining information) over the publication of covert filming and telephone tapping of Bihus.Info team members.
The SSU opened the proceedings on its own initiative. Representatives of the editorial office filed applications to the National Police to open criminal proceedings under other articles, but the National Police has not yet registered its proceedings.
The day before, a video was posted online showing Bihus.Info employees allegedly taking drugs at a New Year's corporate party. The founder of the project, Denys Bihus, noted that the video showed part of the team, namely the cameramen. According to him, the journalists did not use drugs.
"The team is aware of the gravity of the situation. Of course, the wiretapping and surveillance were illegal, and the goals of those who recorded are clear. However, this is no excuse for what we saw on the video - namely, the use of illegal substances by several of our colleagues," the team said.
Later, Bigus said that the Bihus.Info team members had been under surveillance for about a year. And the New Year's corporate party was part of an operation by security forces.
