Council of Judges blocks judicial reform
At a meeting held on Sept. 13, members of the Council of Judges had to nominate their candidates to the Ethics Council for the High Council of Justice and the Selection Commission for the High Qualification Commission of Judges. Previously, on Sept. 10, the international partners submitted the candidates to those panels under their quota, all of them have superior professional credentials and high integrity.
In turn, the Council of Judges has voted for dishonest candidates to the Selection Commission, which will select members of the HQCJ. At the same time, the Council of Judges in violation of the law has refused to delegate its representatives to the Ethics Council, which will review the integrity of members and candidates for the HCJ. The establishment of the Ethics Council is a key part of judicial reform as it has to directly clean the main judicial body of dishonest members. Without the nomination of the Council of Judges, the Ethics Council cannot become operational. Thus, for now, their move effectively blocks the implementation of judicial reform.
Constitutional Court again threatens High Anti-Corruption Court
On September 16, the Constitutional Court plans to resume consideration of the appeal on the unconstitutionality of the High Anit-corruption Court started last year. The Constitutional Court will hold close hearings on the case. Thus, the decision can be made at any given moment. The case is a part of a coordinated attack on anti-corruption infrastructure. Previously, the CCU made negative decisions on NABU, illicit enrichment, and electronic asset declaration system.
Ex-MP Logvynskyi is trying to bury the ‘Golden Mandarin’ case through the Supreme Court
Last year, NABU detectives issued notices of suspicion to six people involved in the so-called “Golden Mandarin” case of misappropriation of more than Hr 54 million. However, detectives have been unable to formally charge the alleged organizer of the scheme ex-MP Logvysnkyi as he enjoys immunity as a husband of a judge of the European Court of Human Rights. Now, Logvynskyi is baselessly trying to bury the case through lawsuits to the Supreme Court of Ukraine.
Results of the first two years of work of the High Anti-corruption Court
Two years ago, on Sept. 5, 2019, the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) began its work. Summing up these two years of court’s work, we can confidently say that the launch of the HACC has been quite successful. Judges have already passed 45 sentences – 39 convictions and 6 acquittals. As of the end of August 2021, 11 decisions were transferred for execution, according to which 14 people were sentenced to imprisonment terms. If during the first year judges made only 16 decisions, then during the second year judges made 29 decisions, 11 of which were made just during the last three months. However, it will be possible to truly evaluate the results of the court’s work only when there are final decisions in cases of top officials currently considered by the court.
Independent members of SAPO selection commission warned about political pressure
On Aug, 30, the European Pravda revealed the letter of four independent members of the commission for the selection of the head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office addressed to the Prosecutor General. They warned about an artificial delay of the competition and attempts to influence its results, and their consideration of resigning from the commission. At the same time, commitment to prompt and a fair selection of a new SAPO head was highlighted in the joint statement made by President Zelensky and President Biden.
Avakov’s company does not repay a loan for the luxurious villa
Former Interior Minister Arsen Avakov owns a luxurious villa that costs 3.5 million euros through an Italian company. According to Avakov, the villa was bought using credit funds. However, according to recently published financial statements of his company, Avakov is not actually repaying the loan since 2018. This may indicate that the ex-minister may have received an illegal benefit in the form of the loan.
