Russia Mulls Setting Up 'KGB-Like' Ministry - Reports

Russia plans the creation of a Ministry of State Security (MGB) in a large-scale institutional restructuring, sources quoted by daily Kommersant have suggested.

According to the newspaper [RU], its staff would not only assist and secure investigations in criminal cases filed by the Investigative Committee of Russia and the Ministry of Interior, but will also provide "procedural oversight".

"Now, according to [Kommersant] sources' data, the idea is about virtually reinstating of the Committee of State Security [KGB] of the USSR," the report reads.  

The new ministry, building upon the Federal Security Service (FSB), will also deal with security in all law enforcement and security institutions, also taking over the personal guard of top public officials, the report suggests.

If the information is confirmed, the new superministry will also incorporate the Federal Protective Service of Russia, which has the aforementione functions, and the foreign intelligence service, SVR.

A source is quoted as saying that in high-profile cases, which include corruption allegations, MGB staff (that will include the FSB) will have to manage progress of criminal charges until their development into a court indictment.

The reform in question is supposed to be carried through before the presidential elections in 2018.

Financial issues, however, are thought to be a big challenge as the cash-strapped Russian government will find it difficult to secure funding by the time.