The ESBU is undergoing a large-scale re-attestation: ILI Chair Tetiana Khutor on air for Ukrainian Radio explained what this means for the bureau and its staff
The Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (ESBU) is currently undergoing a comprehensive re-attestation aimed at restoring trust in the body on the part of society, business, and international partners. This was stated on air for Ukrainian Radio by Institute of Legislative Ideas Chair Tetiana Khutor, who serves as secretary of the ESBU first attestation commission.
"The re-attestation is an exceptional measure, launched in parallel with the competition for a new head of the bureau. It was a step that could be described as extraordinary – aimed at restarting the body, restoring trust in it, and confirming the appropriate level of integrity and professional competence of the Bureau's staff," the expert said.
According to her, the assessment takes place in several consecutive stages. First comes a test of knowledge of legislation, followed by an evaluation of general analytical and logical abilities. Those who do not pass a given stage are not admitted to the next.
"The central and most important is the third stage – the integrity check, which involves collecting information from various sources, compiling a dossier on each employee, and conducting interviews. The main criterion is whether assets correspond to declared income. Of course, the primary concern is a discrepancy between the assets held by the individual and their lawful income – that is the main criterion," Tetiana Khutor explained.
The ILI Chair added that the attestation commission comprises 12 members, six of whom were delegated by Ukraine's international partners and six under the quota of the bureau's director. This composition minimizes the possibility of external pressure on the process. The expert also shared interim results of the attestation.
"Some staff members have already failed the general abilities assessment stage. In addition, some employees have voluntarily left before the procedure was completed. Some are so anxious about this process and its outcomes that they are already resigning without waiting for the attestation results," Tetiana Khutor said.
She noted that under the law, those who do not pass the attestation are subject to dismissal and will be ineligible for any position at the ESBU for the following years. The bureau's senior management will be the first to complete attestation, approximately by mid-summer. Checking all other staff will take considerably more time and will likely extend beyond the current year.
"We call on businesses, civil society organizations, and journalists to provide verified information about possible violations by staff members. Materials can be sent to the commission's email address. Now is the moment to speak up about what is wrong and at least attempt to pass that information on. We are open to any information – the only requirement is that it be factual," the ILI Chair concluded.