The Ministry of Education and Science refused to provide information about Dmytro Verbytskyi's education, citing confidentiality
The Ministry of Education refused to provide information about the education of the controversial former prosecutor Dmytro Verbytskyi, citing confidentiality
The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has no legal basis for providing information about Dmytro Verbytskyi’s education. This is stated in an official response from the Ministry’s Department for the Certification of Highly Qualified Personnel to a journalistic inquiry from the UA.NEWS news agency.
As a reminder, former Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine Dmytro Verbytskyi, who is implicated in a high-profile corruption scandal, is indeed enrolled as a full-time graduate student at the National University “Odessa Polytechnic,” which entitles him to a deferment from mobilization.
This information was officially confirmed by the university’s rector, Hennadiy Oborskyi, in response to a journalistic inquiry from the online media outlet UA.NEWS. A copy of the relevant document has been made available to the editorial office. At the same time, the administration of “Odessa Polytechnic” has effectively concealed information about the former official’s actual academic performance and attendance.
Rector Oborsky ignored direct questions from journalists about whether Verbytsky is fulfilling his individual study plan, who his academic advisor is, and what stage his dissertation is at. “All other questions do not require further answers,” the official letter signed by the rector laconically states, which contradicts the provisions of the Law of Ukraine “On Access to Public Information.”
In addition, the university president avoided answering questions regarding the issuance of certificates for the Territorial Military Commissariat, noting that in its dealings with military commissariats, the university “acts in accordance with current legislation.”
Request to the Ministry of Education
Therefore, as the next step in the investigation into the illegal enrichment of former prosecutor Verbytsky, UA.News journalists sent a request to the Ministry of Education, seeking answers to all the questions that had been left unanswered by Odessa Polytechnic University. However, the Ministry of Education also noted that, according to Article 21 of the Law of Ukraine “On Information,” information regarding an individual’s education is classified as confidential information with restricted access.
Its disclosure without the consent of the data subject is permitted only in cases specified by law in the interests of national security, economic well-being, and the protection of human rights.
“Given that the journalist does not represent the interests of Dmytro Verbytskyi and did not provide duly certified documents confirming his consent to the disclosure of personal data, the Ministry has no legal grounds to provide information about the education of the aforementioned individual,” said Tamara Pustova, acting head of the department.
The Ministry also emphasized that it is not the direct holder of the requested information. In accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Higher Education,” the direct management of higher education institutions is carried out on the principles of autonomy, and oversight of the quality of staff performance, as well as enrollment and dismissal (including the dismissal of graduate students for failure to fulfill their individual study plans), rests with the heads of the higher education institutions themselves. Therefore, journalists were advised to contact the relevant educational institutions directly to obtain detailed information.
In addition, the Ministry of Education and Science noted that, as part of administrative reform, the ministry no longer performs inspection functions. State oversight of educational institutions’ compliance with legal requirements is currently carried out by the State Service for the Quality of Education of Ukraine.
Regarding possible signs of violations or acts of corruption, the ministry emphasized that the review of reports of criminal offenses and the conduct of pre-trial investigations fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of specially authorized entities in the field of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies.
Earlier, former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi himself confirmed in an interview with TSN that he is continuing his graduate studies at Odesa Polytechnic University, which allowed him to obtain a deferment from mobilization. He has also launched a political career and considers his residence in an estate in an upscale neighborhood of Kyiv to be lawful.
Read also: The Story of Dmytro Verbytskyi: A Complete Chronology of Scandals Involving the Former Deputy Prosecutor General from Odesa
