Despite opposition, NABU will not be able to avoid audit - Cabinet says it is acting according to law

The preservation of the annual audit of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) is provided for by the current legislation, so initiating a new audit is a fulfillment of the law, not a political decision. Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka has stated this in a commentary to Interfax-Ukraine.

According to him, the law on the NABU clearly provides for an annual external independent assessment of the Bureau's performance. The decision to start forming an audit commission should be made by the Cabinet of Ministers no later than 30 days before the end of the one-year period from the date of approval of the previous audit.

Thus, the initiation of a new audit is actually the fulfillment of legal requirements.

At the same time, Kachka noted that the NABU audit procedure differs from the audits of other anti-corruption agencies. In particular, the criteria for the Bureau's audit are determined directly by the Audit Commission.

"That is why we plan to approve the criteria and methodology and conduct the audit in accordance with the law," he added.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that preserving the annual format of the Bureau's audit is reasonable given the current legal requirements and the general context.

"In my opinion, maintaining the annual audit format is currently reasonable given the current requirements and context. I have discussed this issue with the NABU leadership, and I am convinced that we will come up with a joint, effective solution, taking into account the current legal norms. So do not look for a catch in the routine," Kachka said.

He added that the resonance around the audit issue indicates increased attention to the anti-corruption system and the need to ensure its stable operation.

Ukrainian Pravda previously reported that the Cabinet of Ministers planned to initiate an independent audit of the NABU in March, and that it was allegedly an "unexpected" decision for the Bureau itself. The NABU expressed despair and confusion about this, Ukrainian Pravda pointed out.

The announcement of a possible audit caused a resonance also because it came after a wave of critical publications about NABU Director Semen Kryvonos. In particular, the media reported an investigation into his fictitious paternity to avoid criminal liability. The NABU has not yet provided any comment on this matter.