Ukraine anti-corruption efforts progress

Ukrainian law enforcement authorities arrested two former officials of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) for allegedly participating in a criminal organization that was controlled by former President Viktor Yanukovych, Chief Military Prosecutor Anatoliy Matios announced on July 13. Former NBU deputy head Oleksiy Tkachenko and another official, Roman Yakovlev, are accused of stealing from the NBU UAH 787 million (USD 98 million) along with Yanukovych frontman Serhiy Kurchenko, former NBU head Ihor Sorkin and former Real Bank board chairman Volodymyr Agafonov. 

A Kyiv district court ruled on July 13 to allow for an in absentia conviction of the former director of Ukroboronpostachalnyk, who is alleged to have stolen UAH 60 mln (USD 7.5 mln), the Prosecutor General’s Office website reported. In 2007 and 2008, the unnamed official sent funds to fake enterprises for services and work that were never performed.

About 4,000 police officers failed their requalification exams, including 30 percent of the senior officers, said on July 13 Khatiya Dekanoidze, the head of the National Police. About 30,000 have passed so far, she said. “This is the first wave of cleansing,” she said. “The main thing is to create a system that cleanses itself.” About 200,000 police officers are employed nationally.

Zenon Zawada: These latest incidents indicate progress in the fight against corruption. With regards to the prosecutions, the first high-level convictions are needed in order to make an impression on the public.