This is reported by Kyiv24
Olena Duma, who headed the National Agency for the Detection and Management of Assets (ARMA), has officially announced her resignation. She made the announcement on social media.
“I have submitted my resignation as head of the National Agency for the Detection and Management of Assets and request the government to accept it. Today, the law aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of ARMA has officially come into effect. Therefore, it is important to do this on this very day.”
Reasons for Resignation and Agency’s Next Steps
According to Duma, her decision is linked to the commencement of an international audit of the agency’s activities, which she believes is a crucial step for further strengthening the institution. She emphasized the need to ensure the independence of this process, thus considering her resignation appropriate under the new working conditions of ARMA.
Duma was appointed as the head of the agency on June 30, 2023, by a decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Prior to this, the selection committee recommended her candidacy, noting her previous experience as Deputy Head of the Chernihiv Regional State Administration.
Criticism of the Appointment and Public Reaction
Olena Duma’s appointment sparked significant public resonance. Civil society organizations, including Transparency International Ukraine, expressed concerns regarding her professional competence and potential connections to individuals involved in criminal proceedings and those suspected of collaborating with the Russian Federation. The organization stressed that such a choice could negatively impact the future activities of ARMA and the anti-corruption ecosystem as a whole.
Furthermore, following the announcement of the competition results, ambassadors from the G7 countries expressed their concerns, highlighting the reaction from civil society. Dmitro Ostapenko, a member of the selection committee, even retracted his vote for Duma’s candidacy and initiated an extraordinary meeting regarding the election of the head of ARMA.
In response to the criticism, Olena Duma stated that there was pressure on the selection committee and the government, and referred to certain publications about her as “ordered.” At the same time, the then Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Oleksiy Danilov, noted that no inquiries regarding Duma had been received by the NSDC.
It is worth recalling that ARMA has the authority to detect, search for, and manage assets that may be seized in criminal proceedings or deemed unjustified and confiscated for the benefit of the state. The agency also manages property that has been seized by court order, aiming to preserve it or increase its economic value.