Supreme Court illegally meddles with HACC’s jurisdiction
On March 26, the Supreme Court ruled that the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) cannot review the decisions of other courts that violate the jurisdiction of the latter. According to the legislation, the HACC has exclusive jurisdiction and other courts cannot deliberately take over its cases. However, some courts used to illegally issue procedural decisions in violation of their jurisdiction and in favor of suspects (like it happened in the case of presidential deputy chief of staff Oleg Tatarov). Until the recent Supreme Court decision, the HACC’s Appellate Chamber was revoking all illegal decisions and returned cases to the HACC. The Supreme Court’s decision means that this illegal practice will continue and may threaten investigations of high-level corruption cases.
Zelensky’s initiative does not solve KDAC’s problem
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s draft law No.5067 has been portrayed as a solution to excessive jurisdiction of the notorious Kyiv District Administrative Court (KDAC). However, the draft law fails to deliver a real cut on the KDAC’s powers and the reform of the court. Also, the draft law does not fulfil the respective commitment undertaken within the current IMF program.
Results of one year of COVID-19 public procurements
Almost a year ago, parliament introduced the regulations providing for tender-free public procurements within the framework of counteracting the pandemic as well as special COVID-19 budgetary fund. At least Hr 31.4 billion from the fund was allocated to the program Great Construction (construction and repair of roads); another Hr 30 billion was spent for public procurements, a significant part of which had major procedural violations and lacked transparency.
SAPO’s head selection advances to the next stage
The candidates for the position of a new Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office head passed the legal and general skills tests. Out of 98 candidates, 37 advanced to the next stages of the competition. Now they have to pass polygraph testing, integrity assessment, practical task, and interview on competence assessment. These stages will take at least 2-3 months.
