The Verkhovna Rada has registered a bill that will allow officials to avoid punishment for corruption after dismissal
People’s deputies from the “Servant of the People” faction registered the draft law №13271-1, which will actually allow officials to avoid responsibility for corrupt actions after leaving the public service. About this informs Anti-corruption Center (CPC).
Among the more than 90 authors of the document are members of the “Servant of the People” faction Oleksandr Tkachenko (initiator), Maksym Buzhanskyi, Yuriy Kamelchuk, Pavlo Halimon, Ihor Fries, George Mazurashu, as well as several former representatives of the OPZZH, in particular Hryhoriy Mamka and Antonina Slavytska. Some of them appear in anti-corruption investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies or journalists.
This draft law was submitted as an alternative to the initiative of People’s Deputy from “Batkivshchyna” Serhii Vlasenko. The explanatory note states that the draft law is designed to “increase citizens’ confidence in the state’s anti-corruption policy.” At the same time, the analysis of its content indicates the opposite — the document weakens the key mechanisms of control and prevention of corruption, in particular, monitoring the lifestyle of declarants.
The project provides for a ban on checking the property of officials acquired before or after holding office, allowing NAKC to control only assets acquired during public service. This opens the way to declaring property that does not exist before taking office, in order to legalize illegal income in the future. After the release, officials will be able not to be afraid of inspections and register assets without hindrance.
It is separately stated that the NAZK will not be able to check the property if it is registered for third parties or is used by an official without the right of ownership. Thus, lifestyle monitoring actually loses its effectiveness.
In addition, the document provides for changes regarding the limit of liability for illegal enrichment. Currently, criminal liability arises if the value of the property exceeds UAH 9.8 million. The draft law lowers this threshold to UAH 8.3 million. It also states that NABU should investigate only those cases involving large sums of money. This may limit the possibilities of fighting other cases of corruption.
As a result, the initiative causes serious concern, as it threatens to weaken anti-corruption mechanisms and may create favorable conditions for officials to avoid responsibility for illegal enrichment.
