Human rights activist: Director of the NBU Legal Department Zyma casts a shadow over the entire banking system and should be dismissed

Director of the Legal Department of the National Bank of Ukraine Oleksandr Zyma undermines confidence in the entire banking system instead of being an example of an honest official. That is why he should be dismissed from his position and thus send a signal to our partners that it is unacceptable for the National Bank officials to break the law. This opinion was expressed by human rights activist Eduard Bagirov in an exclusive commentary to UNN.

The fact is that in any civilized country, the banking system is an indicator of trust, first of all, of citizens in the banking system. The NBU is a place where not only regulatory decisions and regulations are made, but they should also set an example of how bankers should work. And when we say that there are criminal cases against some NBU executives, it means that for a certain period of investigation by law enforcement, this official should be suspended. Even if they have not committed any crimes. Because you can't cast a shadow of trust on any NBU employee, even a driver or a bank security guard, let alone someone in such a high position

According to him, Zyma's case is not the only case when NBU officials cast a shadow over the banking system with their violations. Bagirov reminded that earlier the Supreme Court had issued a final ruling on the claim of the Deposit Guarantee Fund for more than UAH 1.4 billion against the former management of the liquidated Platinum Bank, including the former acting board of the bank and now Deputy Governor of the NBU Kateryna Rozhkova. According to the court decision, she must pay UAH 1.5 billion.

Bagirov noted that despite this court decision, Rozhkova continues to work at the National Bank. Like Rozhkova, Zyma, director of the NBU's legal department, continues to work in his position despite the criminal case. He has not even been suspended.

"I understand that the more such criminal cases against NBU employees, the less trust in this financial institution," Bagirov emphasized.

According to the human rights activist, Zyma took over the powers of the Ukrainian courts with his recommendations to withdraw the lawsuits against the National Bank.

"I understand that there is a criminal case, there is a victim, and the laws and norms of the Constitution through law enforcement agencies and the judiciary must work to restore the violated rights of this person, including providing compensation for legal and financial damages that exist. Unfortunately, as a human rights activist, I cannot say now that the NBU employees will be legally acted upon, because unfortunately, the NBU policy does not include the practice of purging employees who have violated the law and the Criminal Code of Ukraine by their actions and decisions," Bagirov said.

At the same time, he believes that NBU Governor Andriy Pyshnyi should send a clear signal to Ukraine's international partners that he will not tolerate lawbreakers in the National Bank.

"In my opinion, as a human rights activist and a citizen of Ukraine, the head of the NBU should immediately decide to dismiss his deputies and heads of departments from their positions and thus send a signal to our financial partners in the world that there are certain laws that cannot be violated," Bagirov emphasized.

Recall

Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv has recognized Yulia Sosiedka, co-founder of Concord Bank, as a victim in criminal proceedings over alleged abuse of power or office that led to grave consequences, according to Oleksandr Zyma, director of the legal department of the National Bank of Ukraine.

As reported by UNN, the criminal case concerns a letter from the National Bank of Ukraine to the Deposit Guarantee Fund signed by Oleksandr Zyma, in which he recommended that the Fund withdraw the lawsuits filed by Concord against the NBU.  The document referred to four lawsuits filed by Concorde Bank against the NBU, in which the bank demanded the cancellation of fines totaling almost UAH 63.5 million. These lawsuits were filed even before the National Bank decided to liquidate Concorde and put it under temporary administration.

Olena Sosiedka, co-founder of JSCB Concorde, said that the National Bank of Ukraine ignored the proposals of the shareholders of Concorde Bank before its liquidation, and then, on the instructions of the regulator, they were deprived of the right to a fair trial.