Kyiv, February 10, 2015. The Parliament of Ukraine approved Viktor Shokin to the post of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine; President Petro Poroshenko personally submitted Shokin’s candidacy for the parliamentary review. 318 MPs voted in favour of this decision. President Petro Poroshenko and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk came to the parliament in order to introduce Viktor Shokin to the post.
The President emphasized that he is waiting from the new Prosecutor General not only successful results in investigations of criminal cases, but a fundamental reform of the Prosecutor’s Office. Petro Poroshenko highlighted that bringing the perpetrators of last year’s killings on Maidan to justice remains the biggest priority. “This is a test case that you and the entire Prosecutor’s office should pass. This is a test case for the whole country. I am confident that it will be another factor that will forever prevent authorities from using force against democracy. Those who committed crimes on Maidan and those engaged in corrupt schemes should carry the burden of responsibility,” the President said, addressing Viktor Shokin.
Petro Poroshenko expressed his hopes that the new Prosecutor General will bring about changes along the whole chain of command in the Prosecutor’s Office. “I will not object to getting foreign experts aboard,” the President said. Petro Poroshenko noted that there should be structural changes in this law-enforcement agency.
Viktor Shokin has a reputation of a diligent professional and of a man of honor. Mr. Shokin said that restoring justice in cases of mass murders of Ukrainian citizens during the Revolution of Dignity, as well as bringing high-ranked officials guilty in numerous crimes to trial are his key priorities. “The task of returning Ukrainian funds stolen during the presidential term of Viktor Yanukovych is no less important. I am ready to do this,” Mr. Shokin said.
Prior to assuming the post of the Prosecutor General, Viktor Shokin was a Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine and Head of the Main Criminal Proceedings Administration. He is also a member of the Board of the Prosecutor General Office of Ukraine.