Bewind
| Department for Safety and Intelligence Afdeling voor Veiligheid en Inlichtingen | |
 Clipeus et ensis patriae Latin: The country's shield and sword | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 4 April 1941 |
| Headquarters | Artwingen, Lindenholt |
| Employees | 1,800 (est) |
| Agency executive |
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| Parent agency | Prime Minister's Office |
The Department for Safety and Intelligence (Afdeling voor Veiligheid en Inlichtingen, AVI), more commonly referred to as the Bewind (literally: the rule, control or administration), is the smallest of Lindenholt's three national intelligence agencies. The others being the National Intelligence Service (RID) and the National Military Intelligence Division (RMIA).
While the RID and RMIA are under the control of Lindian laws and answer to parliament regarding their operations, the Bewind is under no legal obligation to be held accountable for their work. None of the Bewind's members can be held accountable for their actions, as they all fall under ministerial responsibility. Furthermore, the law stipulates that the Bewind is exempt from any laws (including the constitution), and must operate on the basis of "protocols and guidelines as defined by the cabinet". The contents of these protocols and guidelines, collectively called the little rule book (Regelboekje), have led to controversies and the resignations of several Lindian cabinets in the past. As the often immoral and unconstitutional nature of these rules have been leaked, leading to parliamentary enquiries.
The bewind is officially tasked with counter terrorism, intelligence collection, and counter espionage. Evidence exists that makes it plausible to assume that Bewind agents have also been involved in foreign countries on espionage missions and covert operations, such as the (attempted) toppling of governments and extraction of wanted individuals.