Zelensky moves to liquidate scandalous court

Ukrainian President Zelensky sent a bill to the
country’s parliament on April 13 on the liquidation of the Kyiv District
Administrative Court. Online media pravda.com.ua quotes the president as saying
that the court could not restore its credibility. Moreover, “the court, one
decision of which can put an end to any achievement of the state, any reform,
will be liquidated.”

The judges at the court can undergo a reassignment
procedure for placement in other courts, or, if they refuse, they can retire.

The court, which has the jurisdiction to hear any
claims against central government decisions (including resolutions of the
ministries, the cabinet, the president and the central bank) is constantly
falling under corruption scandals. The court’s head, Pavlo Vovk, is suspected by the National
Anticorruption Bureau (NABU) of conspiracy and attempts to seize state power.
In the latest scandalous episode last week, the NABU detained Vovk’s brother
for demanding a USD 100,000 bribe for facilitating the court’s decision in
favor of a company.

James Hydzik: Zelensky’s move comes as the geopolitical and security situation
clarifies, and if the U.S. government wants reform, this will be one to watch.
It does not dismantle the whole system of corruption. However, by clearly
demonstrating that this court is a particularly onerous threat to reform in
Ukraine, Zelensky can make good on his promise to Washington without disturbing
too many vested interests at one time.