Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Bureau Fires Deputy For Information Leakage Case

UNSPLASH/AltumCode ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The Ukrainian National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) has fired a deputy on suspicion of a case of information leakage within the agency spearheading the country's European Union candidate efforts to tackle corruption.

NABU said in the Telegram messaging application that its disciplinary commission found the deputy who was fired took action aimed at discrediting personally and professionally an bureau employee who submitted notes about possible facts of information leakage.

The agency did not provide further details and did not name the person.

Gizo Uglava is listed on his website as the holder of the position and he posted a statement on Facebook denying wrongdoing.

"The next step to prove my innocence in the cases that ensnared me was to file it in court," Uglava said.

Anastasia Radina, head of the parliament's anti-corruption committee, said on Facebook the official had been laid off due to pressure on a whistleblower who had reported a possible leak of information.

Smber law enforcement said in May that the leak had jeopardized a high-level investigation into a road construction project involving government money.

Eradicating corruption is one of the main conditions for Ukraine as it seeks to become a member of the European Union.

Polls show Ukrainian citizens are increasingly not tolerating impunity among state officials.