Ukrainian authorities on Tuesday announced investigations into two lawmakers on suspicion of involvement in attempts to bribe top reconstruction officials, part of a closely watched campaign to stamp out high-level corruption.
KYIV, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Ukrainian authorities on Tuesday announced investigations into two lawmakers on suspicion of involvement in attempts to bribe top reconstruction officials, part of a closely watched campaign to stamp out high-level corruption.
Kyiv has stepped up efforts to fight graft as it pursues membership of the European Union and prepares to receive billions of dollars in Western aid to rebuild from Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion.
Investigators also said they suspected another lawmaker of arranging the handover in a Kyiv supermarket parking lot of $150,000 in cash stuffed inside a Chinese decorative box.
The investigations come just weeks before the EU, which has encouraged Ukraine to boost its fight against sleaze, is expected to decide whether to open membership negotiations with the embattled country.
They also coincide with the 10th anniversary of Ukraine’s pro-democratic Maidan Revolution, which culminated in the toppling of a pro-Russian president and the launch of a reform drive oriented towards closer ties with the EU.
In an interview with Reuters earlier this year, NABU chief Semen Kryvonos said his agency would prioritise fighting wartime crimes in strategic sectors like defence and reconstruction.
The original article contains 411 words, the summary contains 189 words. Saved 54%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
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KYIV, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Ukrainian authorities on Tuesday announced investigations into two lawmakers on suspicion of involvement in attempts to bribe top reconstruction officials, part of a closely watched campaign to stamp out high-level corruption.
Kyiv has stepped up efforts to fight graft as it pursues membership of the European Union and prepares to receive billions of dollars in Western aid to rebuild from Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion.
Investigators also said they suspected another lawmaker of arranging the handover in a Kyiv supermarket parking lot of $150,000 in cash stuffed inside a Chinese decorative box.
The investigations come just weeks before the EU, which has encouraged Ukraine to boost its fight against sleaze, is expected to decide whether to open membership negotiations with the embattled country.
They also coincide with the 10th anniversary of Ukraine’s pro-democratic Maidan Revolution, which culminated in the toppling of a pro-Russian president and the launch of a reform drive oriented towards closer ties with the EU.
In an interview with Reuters earlier this year, NABU chief Semen Kryvonos said his agency would prioritise fighting wartime crimes in strategic sectors like defence and reconstruction.
The original article contains 411 words, the summary contains 189 words. Saved 54%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!