The bill #11340, approved by the Verkhovna Rada in the first reading, which effectively allows corrupt officials to “buy off” punishment, was a demand of international partners within the framework of the Ukraine Facility Plan.
This was stated by the head of the Servant of the People faction David Arakhamia.
– The deputies did not raise the issue of an agreement with the investigation in corruption offenses at all. This happened from our partners within the framework of the Ukraine Facility Plan obligations. Today we voted on the government version because the government has been appointed as the negotiator with the EU on this plan, he wrote.
Arakhamia's reaction to bill No. 11340
He noted that the draft law, which passed its first reading today, does indeed have a list of comments in writing from the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office and the High Anti-Corruption Court. However, according to Arakhamia, a corrupt official's agreement with the investigation is the prosecutor's right, not an obligation.
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– The final version of the bill will still be reviewed by international experts. If civil society considers this bill to be treason, it has the right and opportunity to present its arguments to representatives of embassies and international organizations. But I am sure that everything will be well-developed before the second reading, as has been the case many times in similar situations, he noted.
Recall that on July 18, the Verkhovna Rada supported bill No. 11340 on an agreement with the investigation in corruption crimes in the first reading.
The document provides for the possibility for corrupt officials to receive a fine instead of a prison sentence in the event of an agreement with the investigation. This has already caused a storm of criticism from society and the opposition.
