Oleksiy Shevchuk appealed to embassies and international media to halt the competition to fill the positions of deputy head and head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office
Attorney Oleksiy Shevchuk stated that the work of the selection committee—which is tasked with conducting the competition for the positions of head and deputy head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO)—has effectively been blocked.
Shevchuk posted a statement to this effect on Facebook, urging people to view statements by certain activists regarding the selection committee’s authority with a critical eye and, in his words, to be guided by the provisions of its Rules of Procedure.
According to the lawyer, the Rules of Procedure link the commission’s authority to its full composition—six members.
“The ability to make decisions with four votes is provided specifically for a Commission consisting of six members and does not mean that a Commission consisting of five members automatically remains competent,” Shevchuk wrote.
He also stated that the Rules of Procedure do not provide for a separate procedure for the expedited selection of a sixth member to replace the one whose term has ended.
Shevchuk alleged violations during the Commission’s proceedings
The attorney claims that the situation escalated following a series of what he considers to be violations of the Rules of Procedure and established procedures.
In particular, he noted that the agenda was not properly approved in a timely manner, and that no decision was made regarding his report of possible interference by NABU Director Semen Kryvonos in his activities as an independent member of the commission.
Separately, Shevchuk mentioned public statements made by SAPO Head Oleksandr Klymenko.
“There was also no adequate response to the public statements made by SAPO Head Oleksandr Klymenko, which, in my opinion, discredited the Commission and cast doubt on its independence and impartiality,” the attorney stated.
According to him, the commission also failed to adequately protect his rights after Semen Kryvonos sent a letter demanding that Shevchuk be removed from the commission.
“The very fact of such a request, in my view, required a separate legal and procedural assessment specifically from the perspective of possible external interference in the activities of an independent member of the Commission,” he emphasized.
Instead, as Shevchuk claims, the commission proceeded to consider the matter directly concerning him.
Lawyer Denies Disclosure of Protected Data
Shevchuk also rejected the claim that he allegedly disclosed personal or other protected data during his press conference.
“I categorically deny this. I reported on the mere fact of receiving the relevant letter and on the risks of interference in my independent activities as a member of the Commission. These are fundamentally different things,” he wrote.
The lawyer emphasized that he considers his statement regarding possible interference to be an exercise of the legal means provided by law to protect his rights and independence while performing his duties.
At the same time, he stated that a procedural conflict had arisen after the Commission initiated proceedings to terminate his powers.
“A Commission member, whose case has been referred to the Prosecutor General, is effectively deprived of the opportunity to fully participate in the further resolution of related issues without raising the question of recusal,” Shevchuk noted.
In his view, until the Prosecutor General issues a decision on the matter, the commission has no grounds to continue its work “as if nothing had happened.”
“The Commission is effectively paralyzed. Consequently, the continuation of the competition is also on hold,” the attorney stated.
At the end of his statement, Shevchuk asked which specific provision of the Regulations grants the commission the right to review the conduct of one of its members, evaluate his actions, and initiate his removal.
“The Rules of Procedure do not provide for such a procedure,” he emphasized.
The attorney called for a discussion of the situation “not in the language of propaganda, personal likes, or dislikes, but exclusively in the language of the law, the Rules of Procedure, and established procedures.”
Shevchuk also called for an end to attempts to disrupt the competition for leadership positions in the SAPO and for ensuring the continuity of Ukraine’s anti-corruption system.
Source: Oleksiy Shevchuk’s Facebook page.
As a reminder, lawyer Shevchuk called on the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) to open a case against Martyna Boguslavets for attempting a coup d’état.
Sternenko lost a court case against lawyer Shevchuk regarding honor and dignity.
Lawyer Shevchuk stated that Nosova was handed over in exchange for the freedom of the Nayem brothers.
