SBU blames past Ukrainian regime, not Russia, for inducing Holodomor, SBU head says

June16200900:00

Ukraine does not blame Russia or other countries for orchestrating the artificial famine in Ukraine in 1932-1933, Security Service of Ukraine Head Valentyn Nalyvajchenko said in his interview with The Nezavisimaya Gazeta.

“There are no claims to third parties, Russia or any other country,” he stressed.

“The crime was committed in Ukraine, its perpetrators and organizers will be established by investigation. As evidenced by declassified archives, they were representatives of the Ukrainian authorities, the Communist party of Ukraine and its law-enforcement agencies. That is why we will investigate their crimes and submit criminal cases to a Ukrainian court,” the SBU chief said.

Nalyvajchenko reminded that in 2006 Verkhovna Rada passed the law on the Holodomor. Article 1 of the law defines the Holodomor as the genocide of Ukrainians.

“Under the Criminal Code, the crime of a genocide is subject to investigation by SBU. Accordingly, in cooperation with the Institute of National Memory SBU has carried out its investigation and opened a criminal case. It is our responsibility. Currently, in Ukraine’s 17 oblasts groups of SBU officials are involved in investigations of crimes of 1932-1933. We hope to submit case materials to court by November,” Nalyvajchenko said.