Head of Kenova Sir Iain Livingstone has released a statement following decisions not to prosecute a number of individuals.
The Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland announced today (Wednesday) it had decided not to prosecute 16 individuals reported across five files by Operation Kenova in relation to its investigation into an alleged agent known as Stakeknife.
Sir Iain said: "We acknowledge the decisions made by the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland (PPS) relating to these Operation Kenova files. However, it is important to clarify that the individuals being considered for prosecution in these files were supplementary to the main focus of the operation - the activities of an alleged army agent codenamed Stakeknife.
"Kenova considers that we have gathered strong and compelling evidence in relation to that individual. Such evidence has been passed to the PPS and will form the basis of our interim and final reports.
"We recognise that legacy investigations and prosecutions can be extremely challenging, but I understand that for a number of people today’s decisions will be disappointing. We have spoken to the families affected by these decisions to reaffirm our absolute determination to deliver the truth regarding what happened to their loved ones. In cases such as the ones today, where there are to be no prosecutions, Kenova intends that the truth will be established through our interim, final and family reports."
The PPS is yet to make decisions on the remaining 10 files in relation to Operation Kenova (Stakeknife), and a further files relating to other Kenova investigations.