MOSCOW, July 30 (RAPSI) – Chairman of Russia's Investigative Committee Alexander Basrykin has decided to create a unit specializing on probes into crimes committed in the sphere of ecology and epidemiology, according to the press service of the body.

Currently, the Committee is responsible for investigation of a significant number of ecological crimes; therefore, among its officers there are already many experienced experts in this sphere. When these experts are gathered within a single unit, it is to consolidate their efforts and so improve the quality of probes into sophisticated crimes resulting in substantial damage to the environment or health of people, the statement reads.

The Investigative Committee takes into account the fact that results of a number of recent studies register growing concerns of the population as to ecological problems.