There is an ongoing debate in Ukraine about the transparency and objectivity of the judicial appointment process, in particular regarding the role of the Public Integrity Council, an advisory body to the High Qualification Commission of Judges (VQCJ). As reported by the publication "Law and Business", half of the members of this council have close ties to two influential public organizations - the DEJURE Foundation of Mykhailo Zhernakov and the Anti-Corruption Center of Vitaliy Shabunin.
Thus, the publication concludes, Zhernakov and his ally Shabunin together control more than half of the members of the Council.
Four members of the GRD work at the “Foundation”, three more previously received money from this organization. Also, one member of the Council received income from Shabunin’s “Center”, and the same organization submitted a nomination for another one to participate in the competition for membership in the Council (there are 20 members in total).
“Among other members of the council, one can find acquaintances of Zhernakov and Shabunin, members of friendly public associations, etc. Given this, it can be argued that these two public activists have a direct and decisive influence on the majority of the OSB, and the council itself acts in a coordinated and centralized manner,” the publication concludes.
We previously wrote that Zhernakov was detained for failing to appear at the CCC for a summons.
Shabunin is being investigated for evasion of military service and for forging documents.
