Transparency International: Constitutional Court Ruling Undermines Anti-Corruption Achievements in Ukraine

The official website of Transparency International informs that there is a chance for Ukrainians to lose visa-free regime with the EU after the abolition of responsibility for illegal enrichment. Transparency International reports that the abolition of the Criminal Code article on illegal enrichment is a violation of Ukraine’s international obligations and can lead not only to the abolition of the visa-free regime with the EU, but even to freeze cooperation with the IMF. “Officials accused of corruption should be prosecuted and rule of law established. If no solution is found, there is a chance that the country’s visa-free regime with the EU and financial assistance from the IMF will be frozen, hampering the country’s economic development”, said Delia Ferreira Rubio, Chair of Transparency International. According to Transparency International, Article 368-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which was declared unconstitutional by a decision of the Constitutional Court, in fact did not place the burden of proof on the accused. The burden of proof lay with the prosecution. They note that the government of Ukraine should take responsibility for illegal enrichment cases, which investigators will have to close due to a decision of the Constitutional Court. Source: strana.ua