ARMA updated the register, but the problem remained – an expert on imitation of the agency’s work

The Agency for Tracing and Asset Management has announced a “major update” to the registry of seized assets. However, the implemented changes look more like a work simulation than a real reform. Such an opinion in an exclusive comment UNN said lawyer, former chairman of the Public Council under ARMA Ihor Chobitko.

Details

The other day, the head of ARMA, Olena Duma, announced the “first large-scale update” of the Register of Seized Assets since its creation. She talked about improving functionality, modern design and improving accessibility. In her opinion, this will contribute to transparency in asset management.

However, Ihor Chobitko emphasized that the key problem of the registry is the lack of complete and up-to-date information.

“The fact that the register does not contain complete information on seized assets indicates that ARMA does not work publicly. The agency hides information from the public, and therefore complicates the process of participation of certain persons in competitions for the management of seized assets,” he noted.

The expert emphasized that the new registry interface does not solve the main shortcomings of its content.

“This only once again confirms that ARMA hides its activities behind the screen of such slogans as designer or artificial products, but does not fulfill its functional duties in filling the register with certain information that is necessary for work. That is, this is once again populism, which has been persecuting ARMA, in fact, since the period of his leadership of the Duma… This is a kind of imitation of work,” Chobitko pointed out.

Let’s add

The opening of public access to the Register of Seized Assets became a key condition for Elena Duma to retain the post of ARMA head. After pressure from the parliament and the public, as well as due to the fear of leaving the post, the head of ARMA initiated the process of opening the register and in the second half of 2023 it was opened. However, anti-corruption activists have repeatedly criticized ARMA for the incompleteness and inaccuracy of data in the register. This information was confirmed by the audit of the Accounting Chamber.

The head of ARMA, Olena Duma, in her turn called the audit “an unprecedented step in ensuring maximum transparency.” She highlighted the agency’s record revenue growth, implementation of new management mechanisms and improved performance in 2024. At the same time, the head of the agency avoided commenting on the problems identified during the audit.

According to the results of the audit, Transparency International Ukraine indicated the need to reform ARMA. Anti-corruption experts indicated that the agency’s activities currently cause serious reservations, including among international partners.

Earlier, Transparency International Ukraine criticized ARMA for non-compliance with European standards. Anti-corruption experts indicated that “contradictory communication on the part of the agency or its officials, combined with populism, violation of the presumption of innocence and lack of understanding of the competence of state bodies” is quite often observed.