Mechyslau Hryb: No sense in combating corruption under Lukashenka's rule

Lack of competition and non-transparent personnel policy make combating corruption senseless.

Mechyslau Hryb, the chairman of the Supreme Councul of the 12th Convocation, talked to charter97.org about a wave of arrests among Belarusian officials and directors of companies.

“There may be various reasons for arrests. Firstly, 2015 and the presidential election are close. Lukashenka needs to think how to gain respect and votes of people. He again may use the trick that has never let him down – 'combating corruption'. Secondly, the current laws, decrees and regulations allow to arrest and jail any official or director if the authorities need it. It's very easy,” the politician thinks.

He noted that civil servants and top executives have to violate the law being unable to fulfil the tasks set by the government.

“Thirdly, we have no competition, public choice or transparency in personnel policy. It is like looking for a black cat in a dark room. It has always failed and will fail. Salaries of civil servants and directors are kept secret. There's an axiom that however much one earns, one always wants to have more. Being in office and having an opportunity to buy something expensive, an official buys it, because he  may be relieved of his post tomorrow and may lose this opportunity,” Mechyslau Hryb notes.

It should be reminded that a criminal case for accepting a large bribe was initiated today against a former deputy chairman of the Shklou district executive committee.