Razboinyi Prikaz

Razboinyi Prikaz

 

(Justice Office), the central administrative organ of Russia responsible in the 16th and 17th centuries for the investigation and prosecution of criminal offenses. The term razboi was also often used to mean acts committed in rebellion against feudal oppression. Boyars administering razboi affairs are first mentioned in documents in 1539. An institution designated as the Razboinaia Izba (Razboi Chamber) was created in 1555–56, and this became the Razboinyi Prikaz in 1571. The duties of this office were defined by a manual of regulations compiled in 1555 and later revised. In 1682 the Razboinyi Prikaz became the Sysknoi Prikaz (Investigative Office).