Anti-corruption director fires whistleblower who accused him of corruption
The director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), Semen Kryvonos, has fired his first deputy, Gizo Uglava, citing the latter's alleged breaches of the NABU code of ethics and professionalism, NABU wrote on Telegram on Sept. 3.
Uglava recently filed a complaint against Kryvonos, accusing the NABU head of conflicts of interest and corruption, to the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NAZK).
According to NABU, Uglava's sacking is a disciplinary measure for Uglava's alleged violation of his oath as a civil servant, his alleged unethical behavior, and his alleged violation of regulations on civil service.
"An internal investigation, and further, the NABU Disciplinary Commission, have confirmed that first deputy director [Uglava] committed a series of actions and statements of a negative nature, aimed at personally and professionally discrediting the employees of the Bureau who had filed memos about possible intelligence leaks," NABU wrote.
The statement also notes that these actions have created an understanding among NABU employees about the possibility of negative consequences for whistleblowing activities, and called them “an unacceptable violation of the high standards of ethics and virtue that NABU employees and senior management should be guided by in their work.”
In a comment on Facebook about the sacking, Uglava himself stated that he is ending his service in the bureau and will be seeking legal recourse, while continuing to cooperate with NAZK.
"I came here from Georgia, and for the past nine years of working at NABU, I've managed to make a significant contribution to strengthening Ukraine's anti-corruption system," he wrote.
"Regardless of any future changes, I am proud of the fact that I served Ukraine and her people for all these years, and truthfully and faithfully defended the rule of law and justice. New challenges lie ahead, but my principles and confidence remain unshaken, which is why the fight for justice must go on."
On Aug. 29, Uglava stated that NAZK had initiated an investigation regarding possible violations of anti-corruption legislation by Kryvonos, and had given him the status of a whistleblower. Uglava added that the circumstances of Kryvonos' real conflict of interest allegedly regards personal pressure on Uglava to resign, actions taken by Kryvonos that undermine the rule of law in order to achieve private interests, as well as with decision-making under the influence of pressure, and not on the basis of the law.
NABU leaks - what we know
On May 23, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) conducted raids of several homes belonging to NABU employees, who are suspected of abuse of office.
According to Ukrainian media, the raids were connected to cases involving President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's 'Big Construction' initiative, meant to revitalize and repair Ukrainian infrastructure.
Ukrainska Pravda, NV's sister publication, reported that the searches were justified due to leaks by NABU employees about a case involving businessman Yuriy Holik, who investigators allege is a key figure in the 'Big Construction' initiative.
NV sources claimed that on May 24, NABU head Kryovonos suspended Uglava on the basis of a personal declaration, claiming that Uglava may be connected to the NABU leaks due to his high status and access to case files.
On May 30, NV Business reported that on May 22, the SAPO and police had conducted searches at the homes of a number of NABU detectives. According to journalist Yuriy Nikolov, the searches may have been connected with membership in a secret NABU division run by NABU detective Valeriy Polyuha.
At the end of May, SAPO, along with NABU's own internal affairs division and the National Police, filed criminal charges against a number of NABU employees for leaking sensitive information regarding an ongoing investigation, and abuse of office.
One more search involving the SAPO and the National Police took place at the residence of Heorhiy Birkadze, another NABU detective, a source in law enforcement told NV Business.
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