Bezuhla criticises Zelensky's bill on open declarations for security forces over SBU loopholes

National leader Volodymyr Zelensky has sent bill No. 16220 to parliament, aiming to restore the requirement for public disclosure of declarations by employees of security agencies. The document provides for special conditions for certain officials of the Security Service of Ukraine, which, according to MP Maryana Bezuhla, could serve as grounds for evading reporting obligations.

Mechanism of exceptions for SBU staff

According to the text of the proposal, SBU employees are exempt from the obligation to submit declarations if, at the time the established deadline expires, they are directly involved in combat operations. Standard deadlines for submitting financial reports will apply to all other service employees, as well as to the heads of its units and their deputies.

Risks of abuse according to the MP's assessment

Maryana Bezuhla analysed the document in detail and identified a number of formulations that could be used to circumvent declaration requirements. She cited as one of the key issues the condition under which the exception applies only when the order appointing a specific employee does not bear a classification mark.

A separate point of criticism was the lack of a clear definition of the concept of "direct participation in combat operations". The MP emphasised that the fact of such participation must be confirmed by the head of the very body that requests the concealment of the declaration.

In addition, Bezuhla drew attention to the possibility of artificially creating grounds for non-declaration. In her words, there is a risk that an employee could formally enter the combat zone on the last day of the deadline to obtain official confirmation and avoid the publication of their income.