Ukrainian Intelligence clarifies who is conducting investigation into poisoning of spy chief's wife and what happens next

Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine is currently investigating the poisoning of several of its employees and Marianna Budanova, the wife of Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Ukraine's Defence Intelligence (DIU).

Source: Andrii Yusov, a representative of Ukraine's Defence Intelligence, in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda 

Quote: "An internal investigation has been launched and continues into the poisoning of military intelligence officers and Marianna Budanova, the wife of Kyrylo Budanov, Head of DIU.

Under Articles 47.3 and 24.4 of the Law of Ukraine On Intelligence, Art. 5 of the Law of Ukraine On Counter-Intelligence Activities and Articles 5 and 6 of the Law of Ukraine On Operational-Investigation Activities, the specified incidents are being investigated by the internal security unit of Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine."

Details: Yusov told Ukrainska Pravda that at this stage, since the case concerns a likely special operation targeted against intelligence officers or members of their families, the investigation is being conducted by the intelligence's own security unit.

He said that once all the circumstances of the incident have been examined, a decision will be made on whether to bring in other law enforcement agencies and hand materials over to the relevant pre-trial or judicial investigation bodies.

Previously: A team of investigators from Bellingcat is to conduct its own investigation into the poisoning of Marianna Budanova.

Ukrainska Pravda sources say that neither the State Bureau of Investigation, the National Police, nor the Security Service of Ukraine have registered criminal proceedings regarding the poisoning.

Background:

• Marianna Budanova, the wife of the Head of Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence, was poisoned with heavy metals. She survived and has undergone the first stage of treatment, Ukrainska Pravda's sources in the security services have reported.
• Andrii Yusov, a representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, later confirmed this information.
• Ukrainska Pravda reported, citing a source in intelligence, that Marianna Budanova  was poisoned with arsenic and mercury.

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