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ANTICORRUPTION NEWS
August 17, 2022
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Dear colleagues, we are happy to resume our anti-corruption updates (for now on a biweekly basis) which we paused with the beginning of Russian full-scale invasion. During these months, we continued to work on advancing anti-corruption reforms in Ukraine, while contributing to the war effort and advancing Ukrainian victory. Together with civil society partners, we've established the International Centre of Ukrainian Victory, and number of our colleagues joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Also, we are proud of Ukrainian anti-corruption institutions, which sustained and continued to deliver the results even in war time.
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Today's issue:
- SAPO's head is finally appointed, selection of NABU director is about to start;
- Advance of the judicial reform;
- Stalemate of confiscation of Russian assets in Ukraine;
- recommended reading
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SAPO's head is finally appointed, selection of NABU director is about to start
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On July 28, after two years of delays Oleksandr Klymenko, who won the competition back in December, was formally named the head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. Despite the initial reluctance of the government to appoint Klymenko, the collective effort of international partners and civil society helped to advance the appointment. The move gives hope for the renewal of the sustainable work of the institution.
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Also, the Cabinet of Ministers cleared the legal obstacles to the work of the commission for the selection of a new NABU director (by excluding former illegal requirement regarding the participation of Drago Kos). The commission is about to start its official work in the upcoming weeks. Meanwhile, the Parliament registered a dangerous draft law No.7654, which aims to disrupt the ongoing competition.
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Advance of the judicial reform
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At the end of April, the Ethics Council resumed its work and conducted an integrity check of 4 current members of the High Council of Justice. The Ethics Council decided that 3 out of 4 members of the HCJ should remain in their positions. Currently, the Ethics Council is evaluating candidates for the HCJ.
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In the upcoming weeks, they will evaluate more than 60 candidates for 8 vacant positions to be appointed under the quota of the Congress of Judges. On August 15, the Parlament confirmed two new HCJ members preselected by the Ethics Council - Roman Maselko and Mykola Moroz. Both of them are diligent candidates supported by civil society. 15 vacant positions within the HCJ are still to be fulfilled.
Also, on July 13, the Selection Commission for the High Qualification Commission of Judges announced the renewal of its work and launched acceptance of the documents from the candidates until the end of August.
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Stalemate of confiscation of Russian assets in Ukraine
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In May, the Parliament approved the law establishing the a legal mechanism with the help of which Ukraine can confiscate assets of Russian citizens involved in the invasion, as well as assets of their accomplices, including Belarusians. The process foresees prompt but transparent court procedure and the assets should be used to compensate for the losses of the state budget. In practice, so far no assets have been recovered facing protractions on the side of Ukrainian authorities.
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