NABU, SAPO and HACC, along with grant activists, have become a separate caste not subject to Ukrainian laws - expert
Kyiv • UNN
The HACC, NABU and activists have created a system of mutual coverage of violations of the law with grants. Political expert Oleh Posternak spoke about the ineffectiveness of fighting corruption through such activities.
The HACC, NABU, and activists supported by grants have created a system of mutual cover-ups that allows judges to violate the law with impunity. As a result, the fight against corruption is becoming ineffective and raises legitimate questions from Ukraine's donor states. Political expert Oleh Posternak wrote about this on his Facebook page, UNN reports.
"HACC judges have learned to ignore and violate the Constitution with the help of NABU and grant "supervisors". Some cover up for others. The NABU and the SAPO turn a blind eye to the fact that judges of the High Anti-Corruption Court can illegally enrich themselves and buy luxury cars and real estate. For this, they demand that they provide them with unquestioning support for their whims. Next to them are professional grant activists who, through supervisory boards, have learned to influence the judicial system bypassing the Constitution," Posternak said.
According to him, the High Council of Justice was the first to be taken under control by "activists" with the help of foreign "partners".
"HCJ decisions are legendary in the legal community. For example, a recent scandal was a public statement by HACCU Appeals Chamber judge Pankulych. He stated in all seriousness that "a wanted person has no other rights than the right to return and go to prison." In other words, with just one move, the HACC shows its attitude to the Constitution of Ukraine. The HCJ should have reacted to this. But they only expressed mild concern, punishing three judges for a gross violation of the right to defense with a simple warning," the expert wrote.
He emphasized that such a "soft" position of the HCJ is simply explained for its own people: it has long been controlled by professional civic activists led by Roman Maselko, who several months ago tried to save corrupt former Supreme Court Chief Justice Vsevolod Knyazev by voting against his dismissal.
"By a strange coincidence, it was Maselko who acquired real estate for millions that he inherited from his retired grandfather. It is people like Maselko, not the rules of law, who are now identifying offenders among judges. They act according to the principle: a dissenting opinion for their own, the law for their competitors," said Posternak.
He cited the example of the prosecution of judge Viktor Shkodin by the Second Disciplinary Chamber of the HCJ, headed by Maselko. The main "fault" of the latter, according to the expert, is that he constantly points out the mistakes of the NABU and the SAPO instead of blindly fulfilling their tasks.
According to the expert, the "mixture" of "new" judicial and anti-corruption bodies is threatening to the country.
"They have become a separate caste that is not subject to the laws of Ukraine. As a result, the HACC judges felt their complete impunity. On the one hand, they are protected by the HCJ with Maselko and civic activists, and on the other hand, by the NABU and the SAPO. Hence the active luxury life during the war," he noted.
The result of all this, Posternak writes, was an attack on other judges by the HACC.
"For example, HACC judge Glotov, who is known for bursting into tears at one of the hearings after his recusal, began to teach the Supreme Court: in his opinion, the latter has no right to interfere in the affairs of the High Anti-Corruption Court. That is, the HACC has enlisted the support of anti-corruption activists and pro-lifers who are earning their last living and putting a big bolt to the Constitution and laws," the expert emphasized.
He is confident that the damage caused by such activities of anti-corruption bodies goes beyond the narrow scope of the topic.
"Every time a country asks for more weapons or money, we are reminded of the need to fight corruption effectively. And it's very difficult to respond with something adequate when specialized agencies are losing their shores and dealing with their own 'skin' issues. At some point, it will be easier to eliminate them all in one fell swoop than to restore order. I really hope it doesn't come to that," the expert concluded.
As reported , according to sociologists, 72% of Ukrainians do not trust the judiciary, which includes the High Anti-Corruption Court.
