NABU, SAPO investigations provoke strong resistance from the system, - Artem Sytnyk
The results of high-level corruption probes, as well as the prosecution of those previously considered "untouchable" in Ukraine, have provoked strong resistance from the system and an attack on the independence of anti-corruption agencies. This was emphasized by the NABU Director Artem Sytnyk at the meeting with representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on July 7, 2021.
“Ukraine has got a strong anti-corruption infrastructure composed of NABU, SAPO and the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, which is already showing progress. Now it is important to protect what has been built," Artem Sytnyk said.
On behalf of PACE, the meeting was attended by Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine Steen Nørlov and his Deputy Olena Lytvynenko, Deputy Head of the Secretariat of the PACE Monitoring Committee Bas Klein, as well as co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee Alfred Heyer and Birgir Thórarinsson.
The NABU Director dwelled on the main results of the agency, stressed challenges and pressure faced by Detectives and Prosecutors during the investigation of corruption crimes committed by top officials. Artem Sytnyk also focused on how NABU investigations suffer from the absence of SAPO Head during the last 10 months and the need to elect a new one through a transparent procedure.
As reported, in January 2021, PACE approved the annual progress report of the Assembly's monitoring procedure, calling on Ukraine to take all necessary measures to strengthen its anti-corruption agencies, including by restoring the effective functioning of the electronic declaration system and clarifying the legal status of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine.
