28 May 2019 21:53

Zelensky to propose re-imposition of criminal liability for illegal enrichment

KYIV. May 28 (Interfax) - A bill equating illegal enrichment to a criminal offense will be introduced in the Ukrainian parliament this week, President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a meeting with representatives from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission on Teusday.

"This week we will definitely submit this bill to the parliament and we are hopeful that the MPs will approve it. However, if this does not happen, it will be another proof that it is a disabled parliament," Zelensky was quoted by his press service as saying at the meeting.

He said that his team had drafted a bill on liability for illegal enrichment, which will become an important tool in the hands of anti-corruption agencies.

As reported, the Ukrainian Constitutional Court found Article 368-2 of the Criminal Code for illegal enrichment unconstitutional at the suggestion of 59 deputies.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), the U.S. and British embassies were concerned by this decision.

Fifth Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has submitted a bill, which should have reinstated this article of the Criminal Code in another wording, to the Verkhovna Rada.

Lawmakers, in turn, came up with over ten alternative initiatives.