On December 12, 2018, the results of ARMA activities on tracing and management of seized assets with the participation of representatives of civil society and the media were discussed.

Head of ARMA Anton Yanchuk, shared the first challenges and achievements in the work of the Agency. According to him, more than 700 objects seized in the framework of criminal proceedings have been transferred into ARMA`s management. These are commercial and residential real estate, land plots, vehicles, integral property complexes, etc. Due to the activities of managers, 7.1 million UAH irretrievably transferred to the state budget.

The ARMA`s deposit portfolio is about 151 million UAH. These funds were transferred into the Agency management or obtained, as a result of the sail of seized property. At present, they have accrued interest of over 15 million UAH. In the case of confiscation, interest will become a revenue for the state budget.

«The seized property management system – is an effective tool for preserving the economic value of seized assets. And we see that it works. Previously, there were real risks that the seized property may disappear, get to some unknown LLC or something else. Now, the owner has a chance to prevent certain abuses from the law enforcement system", - stressed Anton Yanchuk.

Senior Anti-Corruption Advisor of the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative in Ukraine (EUACI) Elena Konceviciute spoke about the international experience in managing seized assets. She pointed out that such institutions as ARMA operate in the 28 member states of the European Union. Konceviciute believes that the Agency works in accordance with European practices and possesses the majority of necessary powers and instruments.

Head of ARMA’s asset management Department, Vitaliy Ryznyk, during the meeting, spoke about the most successful cases of cooperation between the state, business and the public. First of all, it is the transfer into management of two CHPPs located in Novoyavorivsk and Novyi Rozdil cities in the Lviv region, assets of the industrial bakery in the city of Kharkiv and the congress and exhibition center “Parkovy”.

During the event held by Transparency International Ukraine the role of public in the management of seized property was emphasized by the Legal Adviser Katerina Ryzhenko and the chairman of the Public Council of ARMA Gleb Kanevsky.

“ARMA is an important element of anticorruption infrastructure in Ukraine. The Agency actually forms from scratch the policy in the area of ​​seized assets management. Often, ARMA receives “sensitive” assets associated with resonant criminal proceedings. Thus, it is important for the Agency's activity to be transparent and highly communicative. For its part, TI Ukraine, as a civil society representative, has made a commitment to ensure ARMA's openness and public control,” stressed Kateryna Ryzhenko.

During the meeting participants also participated in an open discussion and informal dialogue with speakers.