MOSCOW. July 8 (Interfax) - While Russian President Vladimir Putin can ask for additional information on the case of Ivan Safronov, an advisor to the CEO of Roscosmos arrested on suspicion of high treason, the matter itself is not one for the president to intervene in, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.
"The president definitely has this ability. But, first of all, this isn't an issue for the president. This isn't an issue for the president at all," Peskov told journalists when asked whether the president has the ability to inquire about such information.
"The investigation is ongoing. A trial is pending. Why should we act a priori based on some kind of mistrust?" he said.
Some journalists told Peskov that the fact that the case against Safronov has been classified looks questionable not only to the media, but also to Safronov's defense team; in particular, Safronov's lawyers have said the investigation did not present any incriminating evidence against him when the court was deciding whether to take him into pretrial custody.
Peskov was also asked whether he could make enquiries about information himself, to help Putin get to the bottom of the case.
"No, I don't have such powers in this investigation. I don't have that capability," Peskov said.