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HOT ANTICORRUPTION NEWS / Issue #171
March 29, 2021
  
Today's issue:
 
- Supreme Court illegally meddles with HACC's jurisdiction;
- Zelenkyi's initiative does not solve KDAC's problem;
- Results of one year of "COVID-19" public procurements; 
- SAPO's head selection advances to the next stage;
- recommended reading
Supreme Court illegally meddles with HACC's jurisdiction

On March 26, the Supreme Court ruled that the High Anti-corruption Court (HACC) cannot review the decisions of other courts that violate the jurisdiction of the latter. According to the legislation, the HACC has exclusive jurisdiction and other courts cannot deliberately take over its cases. However, some courts used to illegally issue procedural decisions in violation of its jurisdiction and in favour of suspects (like it happened in Oleg Tatarov's case). 
Until the recent Supreme Court's decision, the HACC's Appellate Chamber was revoking all illegal decisions and returned cases to the HACC. The Supreme Court's decision means that this illegal practice will continue and may threaten investigations of high-level corruption cases.
Zelenkyi's initiative does not solve KDAC's problem
President Zelenskyi's draft law No.5067 has been portrayed as a solution to excessive jurisdiction of the notorious Kyiv District Administrative Court (KDAC). However, the draft law fails to deliver a real cut on the KDAC's powers and the reform of the court. Also, the draft law does not fulfil the respective commitment undertaken within the current IMF program. 
Results of one year of "COVID-19" public procurements
Almost a year ago, the Parliament introduced the regulations providing for tender-free public procurements within the framework of counteracting the pandemic as well as special "COVID-19" budgetary fund. At least 31.4 billion UAH from the fund was allocated to the program Great Construction (construction and repair of roads). 30 billion UAH was spent on public procurements, a significant part of which had major procedural violations and lacked transparency.
SAPO's head selection advances to the next stage
The candidates for the position of a new SAPO head passed the legal and general skills tests. Out of 98 candidates, 37 advanced to the next stages of the competition. Now they have to pass polygraph testing, integrity assessment, practical task, and interview on competence assessment. These stages will take at least 2-3 months.
Recommended Reading 
Copyright © *2021* Anti-corruption Action Centre*, All rights reserved.

Should you have any questions or comments please contact Tetiana Shevchuk at tshevchuk@antac.org.ua

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