Roman Truba and Olga Varchenko Celebrate SBI Anniversary at Elite Kyiv Restaurant

There was a corporate party at the SBI.

On November 29 in Kyiv, a private party was held at the Italian restaurant Vero Vero to mark the anniversary of the launch of the State Bureau of Investigation. On November 28, 2018, the first criminal case was registered at the SBI. 

A piece titled "Truba's Farewell Party at Vero Vero" appeared on the YouTube channel of the investigative journalism project Bihus.info.

Journalists managed to film cars and guests arriving at the restaurant, including employees of the Lviv regional office of the SBI. Later, Roman Truba himself arrived at the celebration. Journalists also managed to record the arrival at the restaurant of his first deputy, Olga Varchenko.

To identify the journalists after noticing the surveillance, SBI employees called the police.

Later, SBI leadership began secretly removing people from the restaurant, blocking journalists' view with a service bus. Those leaving the restaurant were shielded with umbrellas.

Journalists tried to get a comment from the SBI director through his press service, but SBI leadership declined to comment.

For reference, on December 3 parliament voted to reboot the SBI. This means that Roman Truba and his deputies will be dismissed.

Earlier, Truba gave an interview in which he spoke about the wiretap found and stated that he is a shield for investigators. We previously retold here the SBI director's interview.