Russian Interior Ministry, U.S. FBI discuss cooperation issues

Leaders of the Russian Interior Ministry and U.S. FBI met in Moscow to discuss issues of cooperation in combating transnational crime. In compliance with the agreement reached between Russian interior minister Boris Gryzlov and director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the U.S. Justice Department Robert S.Mueller,III the first session of the Russian-U.S. working group for coordinating cooperation in combating transnational crime has opened in Moscow Monday. The American delegation at the meeting, which will last for two days, is headed by deputy chief of branch for combating organised crime of the FBI headquarters Michael Welch. The group also comprises representatives of branches for combating computer crimes, car stealing and other FBI staffers. The meeting focused on the discussion and coordination of joint actions of law-enforcement agencies of Russia and the USA to investigate criminal affairs relating to leaders of and active participants in international organised criminal groups operating on the territory of the two countries and engaged in legalisation of illegally obtained receipts, specifically as a result of criminal activity in high-tech sphere.