Kiev Tries to Control Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Bodies - Transparency Int'l

The Ukrainian authorities are trying to establish control over the anti-corruption bodies, Transparency International said in a statement Monday.

KIEV (Sputnik) — Doubts about the anti-corruption department getting truly independent leadership have been publicly voiced by the EU envoy to Ukraine and the Parliamentary Committee on Corruption Prevention among others, the statement said.

"The Board of Transparency International Ukraine notes attempts by the heads of state to establish personal control over the key anti-corruption bodies through Attorney General Viktor Shokin to make them work for their own interests. These officials deny Ukraine a future without corruption, and citizens — the opportunity to travel to Europe without a visa," a statement posted on the organization's website reads.

According to the anti-corruption watchdog, Shokin has appointed people who held high posts under former President Viktor Yanukovych to a commission set up to establish a dedicated anti-corruption department in the prosecutor's office.

Ukraine has received aid from international creditors to avoid defaulting on its debt, while trying to implement structural economic reforms.

However, the country remains racked by corruption despite reform measures, ranking 142nd out of 175 countries on Transparency International’s corruption index.