Head of Ukraine's anti-corruption agency says Mindich case wasn't halted due to geopolitical considerations

VALENTYNA ROMANENKO - 25 November, 13:38

Semen Kryvonos. Photo: Ukrinform

Semen Kryvonos, director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), has stated that the Bureau has not suspended the investigation into the Mindich case for any "geopolitical reasons", and that new materials will be published once all examinations are completed.

Source: Kryvonos at a meeting of the Ukraine's Parliament Anti-Corruption Policy Committee on 25 November

Quote: "We have not stopped the investigation because of geopolitics; we simply do not publish materials that are still undergoing deeper examination to establish all circumstances. There is no pressure or obstruction on us, you can be sure we remain independent."

Details: Responding to a follow-up question, Kryvonos noted that the collection of data on NABU detectives could be seen as a form of obstruction, but stressed that the Bureau knows how to deal with it.

Regarding the spread of false information and slander against anti-corruption bodies in Telegram channels, the NABU director said this also does not affect their work. He added that the organisers of these channels are identified, though examining their activities falls under the responsibility of Ukraine's Security Service.

Background:

As Ukrainska Pravda reported, citing sources familiar with negotiations with the American side in Kyiv, during a meeting between US Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Head of the President's Office Andrii Yermak, and National Security and Defence Council Secretary Rustem Umierov, the issue of NABU and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office investigations was raised privately.
According to UP sources familiar with the content of those discussions, Zelenskyy indicated that he would be unable to "move forward" if anti-corruption bodies were to issue notices of suspicion to members of his inner circle in the near future, as such steps could jeopardise negotiations with the US and European partners.

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