New legislation can allow corrupt officials to buy their way of punishment, – reports

Source: Yaroslav Zheleznya/Telegram

Ukraine’s parliament has passed Law No. 11340 in its first reading, which updates punishment and plea bargain policies for corruption-related cases. The legislation, perceived by many as having “corruption risks,” received votes from 231 MPs.

The amendment introduces reduced penalties and shorter probation periods for corrupt officials found guilty in corruption trials, while making the disclosure of accomplices non-mandatory.

Instead, it proposes that corrupt officials pay compensation and fines up to 204 million hryvnias as part of an updated plea bargain scheme.

The Anti-Corruption Committee of Ukraine’s parliament argues that officials facing corruption charges may now use updated plea bargains as a loophole to avoid severe punishment and protect their accomplices from justice.

Vitaliy Shabunin, Director of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, stated that the draft law avoids the confiscation of suspects’ property.

“You steal a billion, get arrested for a theft of 100 million, compensate for it, pay an additional 200 million fine, and you can enjoy life with the remaining 700 million,” said the anti-corruption expert.