Mr. Yurii Shchyhol, head of the Agency for Special Communications and Information Protection Ukraine (SSSCIP) and his deputy Viktor Zhora were killed dismissal On November 20, Mr. Taras Melnychuk – a senior member of the cabinet wrote on Telegram but did not give a reason.
SSSCIP is responsible for securing government communications and protecting the state from cyber attacks.
News of the dismissal came less than an hour before prosecutors filed an appeal corruption said it was investigating the head of SSSCIP and his deputy for their roles in a six-person scheme to embezzle US$1.72 million from 2020 to 2022.
| Mr. Yurii Shchyhol. Photo: Reuters |
Authorities suspect these officials purchased software at inflated prices from two companies believed to be under their control in an unfair transaction with other contractors, the Anti-Corruption Bureau said. The Ukrainian national said.
On Telegram, SSSCIP announced that it is cooperating with the investigation agency and confirmed that all of the agency’s procurement activities are carried out legally.
Shchyhol wrote on Facebook that he was confident he could prove his innocence, Interfax Ukraine reported.
Ukraine has stepped up efforts to curb corruption as it pursues membership of the European Union (EU). The bloc sees the fight against corruption as a prerequisite for starting negotiations.