The case against Zyma, the National Bank's chief lawyer, may become a flagship in the fight against corruption or a major obstacle to investment

A proper investigation of the criminal case against officials of the National Bank of Ukraine could become a model for fighting corruption in the country. Delaying the investigation and trying to avoid responsibility, on the contrary, will scare investors away from Ukraine. This opinion was expressed in an exclusive commentary to UNN by political scientist Ihor Reiterovych.

Context

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 UNN reported, 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 to cancel fines totaling almost UAH 63.5 million. These lawsuits were filed before the NBU decided to liquidate Concorde and put it under temporary administration.

The very fact that there is a criminal proceeding against a National Bank official is both a positive and a negative fact. In particular, it demonstrates the fight against corruption, that we have the rule of law and equality of all before the law, the political scientist believes.

"On the plus side, this demonstrates that if there are any situations with violations of the law, there is actually a reaction to them, and these people, despite their positions, their political roof, they are, in principle, subject to the current legislation and have to answer to the law," Reiterovich said.

At the same time, however, the criminal cases against NBU officials point to a number of problems that may deter foreign investors.

"This indicates the existence of certain problems that, of course, can stop investors, for example, from investing in Ukraine or providing additional financial assistance. Because they will say: "You see, you have too many criminal cases, so your system of recruitment for the relevant services is inefficient," Reiterovich said.

Recall

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

Security expert Serhiy Shabovta believesthat Zyma should be suspended from his duties while the criminal proceedings against him are being investigated.