Ukrainian reformers appeal to Biden regarding Nord Stream 2
Ukrainian reformers from various sectors appealed to U.S. President Joe Biden calling on him to reverse course on Nord Stream 2 and block its construction. Nord Stream 2 is a prime example of Vladimir Putin’s strategic corruption, which is, in fact, his weapon in the war against the democratic world conducted since 2008.
Leading NGOs call to halt illegal selection of the CCU judges
On Aug. 17, the president adopted the regulation on the selection of Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president. He also appointed seven members of the selection commission. However, as of now, there are no vacant seats on the court under the president’s quota. NGOs have appealed to the president not to launch the competition and appoint new judges as it will only deepen the crisis and threaten the legitimacy of the CCU and its decisions.
In the course of wider judicial reform, NGOs also appealed to the members of the High Council of Justice to speed up the reform and resign as soon as possible. Many of the HCJ members have a very questionable reputation (like Pavlo Grechkivsky) and their voluntary resignation will only speed up the course of reform. In the meantime, members of the Ethics Council for cleaning of the HCJ and members of the Selection Panel for High Qualification Commission of Judges should be nominated by September 11.
Head of Bureau of Economic Security is selected following a staged competition
On Aug. 20, the Cabinet of Ministers appointed head of the State Fiscal Service Vadym Melnyk to the position of the head of the Bureau of Economic Security. Many observers pointed out that the selection process was non-transparent and staged because the selection committee was composed of political appointees and not independent experts. Melnyk was named as the winner of the selection process long before its start.
Gambling commissioner caught on bribery turned to be acting SBU officer
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine detained a member of the Commission for Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries, Yevhen Melnyk, for allegedly receiving a $90,000 bribe. During the court hearing on Aug. 28, it was revealed that Melnyk has a badge of an acting Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) officer, uses a car officially owned by the SBU, and has сovert car plates. Melnyk was released on bail of $185,000.
