**Ukraine’s Economic Watchdog Nominee Vows Legal Action as Kyiv Stalls His Appointment**
The nominee to lead Ukraine’s economic crimes bureau, Oleksandr Tsyvinsky, has vowed to take legal action against the government for blocking his appointment. Tsyvinsky, an anti-corruption detective with two decades of experience, was selected by an independent selection committee in June but has been rejected by the Cabinet of Ministers due to alleged ties to Russia.
The delay in appointing a new head to the bureau has sparked criticism from critics who see it as politically motivated and unlawful. Ukraine’s Western partners have also called on the government to select a head to the agency as part of its anti-corruption commitments.
Tsyvinsky told the Kyiv Independent that he is prepared for a “fight” using all available legal means to get appointed. “That kind of fight has defined the past 10 years of my life — I’m quite hardened in this regard,” he said.
The government had until July 31 to appoint a new head to the bureau as part of a loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, it has rejected Tsyvinsky’s candidacy over concerns about his estranged father’s Russian citizenship. Members of the selection committee have disputed this claim, saying they don’t see the citizenship as a risk and that Tsyvinsky has passed vetting processes.
The Kyiv Independent has learned that the Security Service (SBU) sent a letter to the Cabinet of Ministers raising concerns about Tsyvinsky’s father’s Russian citizenship. However, when Tsyvinsky requested a copy of the letter, he was told by the SBU that it had been destroyed on July 31.
**Government Under Fire for Blocking Appointment**
The government’s decision to block Tsyvinsky’s appointment has sparked widespread criticism from anti-corruption figures and international partners. Protestors have taken to the streets demanding that the government repeal a law passed last week, which grants the Prosecutor General sweeping control over key anti-graft bodies.
Critics see the move as an attempt by the government to undermine Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts. “As Tsyvinsky is from NABU (the National Anti-Corruption Bureau), there could be a strong alliance between NABU and the Economic Security Bureau, which is obviously quite dangerous for people who are trying to steal something during the full-scale war,” opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said.
Tsyvinsky’s nomination coincided with accusations of corruption against former Minister Oleksii Cheryshov, part of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s inner circle. The government has also been accused of cracking down on anti-corruption institutions and attempting to strip NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor (SAPO) of their independence.
**What’s Next?**
The Kyiv Independent is not clear what the next steps are if the government does not appoint Tsyvinsky. The selection committee has said it will not hold another competition and stands by its decision to appoint Tsyvinsky.
Tsyvinsky remains uncertain about why his appointment was blocked but is determined to find out and take action. “When the only document upon which the government made its decision has been destroyed, no one will be able to see it anymore,” he said. “Even if someone describes its content, it holds no legal weight.”
