Zelensky keeps Tatarov in office despite corruption charges to maintain influence over law enforcement agencies - Reuters
Despite numerous corruption allegations, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Oleh Tatarov remains in office because President Volodymyr Zelensky needs him to influence Ukraine’s extensive law enforcement system.
This was reported by Censor.NET with reference to Reuters.
Oleh Maiboroda, the former executive director of Ukrbud Development LLC, passed bribes for the approval of construction projects through the current deputy head of the OP, Oleh Tatarov, during his tenure. According to Maiboroda, the bribes were passed through Tatarov from 2014 to 2019. The lawyer's contacts with the police, courts and prosecutors made him an ideal intermediary. However, Maiboroda did not provide any evidence, but they repeat the accusations of anti-corruption agencies. The prosecutor's office closed the case in April 2022 on procedural grounds.
The agency notes that such information from Maiboroda threatens to reignite a controversy that plagued Zelensky even during the war: accusations by political opponents and anti-corruption activists that Tatarov was protected from prosecution.
Tatarov denies any wrongdoing and claims that these accusations are "an attempt to settle political scores" with them.
The agency adds that Tatarov, PO head Andriy Yermak and Zelensky refused to comment on the situation.
Reuters notes that Tatarov remains in office despite the fact that several high-ranking Ukrainian officials have resigned over corruption scandals, including former Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov.
Several political insiders interviewed by Reuters said he is an important figure in helping Zelensky control Ukraine's extensive security and law enforcement agencies.
Daria Kaleniuk, executive director of the Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Action Centre, believes that in a healthy democracy, any official accused of corruption should be removed from office until acquitted. "If Zelensky does not get rid of Tatarov, he will not be perceived as a serious participant in cleansing the country of corruption," she told Reuters.
Kaleniuk believes, however, that the war has created enormous pressure on the authorities to reform. "The demand for change in society is huge. So are the demands for reforms to achieve what people want: integration into NATO and the European Union."
