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HOT ANTICORRUPTION NEWS / Issue #136
February 21, 2020
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Today's issue:
 
- NGOs call on President Zelenskyi to unblock the judicial form;
- NABU detained former servicemen of the Foreign Intelligence Service for alleged misappropriation of funds;
- court unjustly convicts activists from Kryvyi Rih for two years of suspended sentence;
- position of the head of the Anti-corruption Committee on illegal attempt to dismiss NABU director;
- MP Derkach spreads his false allegations against AntAC to the US; 
- recommended reading
NGOs call on President Zelenskyi to unblock the judicial reform

On February 28, the leading NGOs issued a statement calling President Zelenskyi to initiate legislative changes aimed at unblocking judicial reform. Delaying the solution of the problem deprives Ukrainian citizens of the hope to restore justice and repels international investors who do not want to deal with corrupt Ukrainian courts.
The draft law has to include the provisions that: 
- will provide transparent competition to the HQCJ according to rules established by the Competition Commission with the participation of international experts;
- will unblock the creation of the Ethics Commission that will clean the HCJ from members who do not meet requirements of integrity;
- will take into account warnings of the Venice Commission regarding unjustified dismissal of the Supreme Court, instead of providing transparent and clear procedure regarding examination of Supreme Court judges for integrity with the participation of international experts.
NABU detained former servicemen of the Foreign Intelligence Service for alleged misappropriation of funds
On February 25, NABU charged former head of Foreign Intelligence Service Pavlo Pashkovskyi and two other officials with embezzlement of UAH 2.2 mln (approx. $ 90,000). According to NABU, in 2014, those officials organised a public procurement whereas FIS contracted the state-owned enterprises to supply equipment that in fact could not be delivered. The proceeds of embezzlement were further laundered through chain of shell companies.
Court unjustly convicts activists from Kryvyi Rih for two years of suspended sentence

On February 24, Ternisky district court of Kryvyi Rih announced the verdict in the case of local activist Juliy Morozov (we highlighted his story in our newsletter of January 24). He was accused of causing car accident allegedly resulting in severe injuries and sentenced for three years of imprisonment. The court changed the imprisonment term for two years of probation. Morozov believes the case itself has been fabricated by the local police department for Morozov's anti-corruption work and revelations against local oligarch Vilkul. He plans to appeal the sentence.
Position of the head of the Anti-corruption Committee on illegal attempt to dismiss Sytnyk

The head of the Anti-corruption Committee of Verkhovna Rada, Anastasiya Krasnosilska publicly expressed her opinion on the illegality of draft resolution No. 3039 aiming at the dismissal of NABU director. MP Krasnosilska states that at the moment there are no legal grounds to dismiss Sytnyk and such a decision will harm the anti-corruption effort and rule of law in the country. Please see Krasnosilska's column on Ukrainska Pravda in Ukrainian or its translation to English.
MP Derkach spreads his false allegations against AntAC to the US

Last week notorious MP Derkach made unsubstantiated allegations of misappropriations of funds of incredible amount  $ 142.9 million allegedly involving AntAC.  The National Police immediately started an investigation based on these false accusations. 
A few days ago, Rudy Giuliani used Darkach's statement to spread misinformation about AntAC and our partner organization 100% Life in a series of his video blogs.

We consider this criminal investigation against AntAC an attempt to pressure organization and would like to remind that  people spreading this information have a controversial reputation. 
Recommended Reading 
Copyright © *2020* Anti-corruption Action Centre*, All rights reserved.

Should you have any questions or comments please contact Tetiana Shevchuk at tshevchuk@antac.org.ua

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