SSU: Some employees of Bihus.Info were involved in drug trafficking
The SSU press service claimed that some Bihus.Info employees were involved in drug trafficking.
The corresponding message was published by the press service of the SSU, Censor.NET reports.
As noted, countering organized drug crime is one of the activities of the Security Service of Ukraine.
According to the press service, some employees of Bihus.Info were among the clients of dealers through whom drugs were supplied to other citizens.
"In particular, one of the operators was involved in criminal proceedings for the illegal production, manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation, shipment or sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues," the commentary says.
At the same time, the SSU reminds that the Security Service of Ukraine has opened criminal proceedings under Art. 359 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal acquisition, sale or use of special technical means of obtaining information). Relevant procedural actions are being taken.
In addition, appropriate personnel decisions have been made regarding the Department for the Protection of National Statehood and its areas of work have been optimized.
"We believe that independent media is an integral part of a modern democratic society and no actions of individuals can cast a shadow on any of the editorial offices and the media in general, and all SSU employees should act exclusively to protect the national interests of the state and society and effectively counter the enemy," the Security Service said.
Surveillance of Bihus.Info
As a reminder, on January 16, a video was posted online showing Bihus.Info employees allegedly using 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 severity of the situation. Of course, the wiretapping and surveillance were illegal, and the goals of those who recorded were clear. But 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, Bihus said that Bihus.Info team members had been under surveillance for about a year. And the New Year's corporate party was part of a security operation.
The SSU opened proceedings on the fact of illegal wiretapping and video recording. It also seized disks with camera recordings.
Recently, Bihus.Info journalists asked for help in identifying the people who are likely to be involved in the surveillance of the investigative team.
In a new video of the project, Denys Bihus said that the SSU's Department for the Protection of National Statehood was involved in the surveillance of Bihus.Info.
