30 December 2024, 11:19
Denys Maliuska, the Minister of Justice of Ukraine, has consistently drawn public attention due to his unconventional approach to communication, particularly through his striking workplace photographs. However, several aspects of his tenure at the Ministry of Justice warrant a detailed examination, particularly concerning the effective management of public funds.
Expenditures on Legal Services Abroad
One of the most controversial aspects of the Ministry of Justice’s operations under Maliuska’s leadership has been the expenditures on engaging legal firms to represent Ukraine’s interests in foreign courts. Despite a general push for transparency in public procurement, these contracts were often concluded without competitive bidding, raising concerns about the efficiency of spending and potential corruption risks. For comparison, even Ukrzaliznytsia, which has frequently faced criticism for non-transparent tenders, demonstrates more structured approaches to procuring legal services.
Financing and Administration of State Registries
Another significant concern involves the Ministry of Justice's spending on maintaining state registries. Over Maliuska’s term, approximately 2.13 billion UAH was allocated through direct contracts, bypassing tender procedures. This substantial sum has drawn particular attention in light of a recent incident where several registries became inaccessible due to cyberattacks. The lack of transparency in allocating such considerable funds fuels suspicions about potential misuse of public resources.
Comparisons with Other Cases
For context, a similar case can be referenced involving another official, Mustafa Nayyem. His allocation of substantial budget funds (tens of millions of hryvnias) to associates sparked significant public outcry. In the case of expenditures on registries within the Ministry of Justice, the situation appears even more complex, as the absence of detailed information on the outcomes of the 2.13 billion UAH allocation hinders oversight and raises the possibility of corruption schemes.
Conclusions
While Denys Maliuska’s tenure has been free of major corruption scandals, it raises critical questions about the transparency and efficiency of public resource management. The lack of transparent tender processes, substantial expenditures on registries and legal services, and the consequences of cybersecurity incidents underscore the need for more rigorous oversight of such initiatives by civil society and regulatory bodies.