Ukraine inquires about standards for MPs in Bastys’ case – Constitutional Court president

“It is a rather frequent phenomenon in Ukraine when parliamentarians do not attend meetings and are not held liable, they vote on behalf of other MPs and, of course, probably face more serious problems in the field of state secrets,” Žalimas told journalists on Monday.

“The colleagues will have to one day use doctrine formed by our Constitutional Court – I mean that members of the Seimas have to perform their duties conscientiously,” said the president of the Constitutional Court.

In his words, the Constitutional Court has made a significant finding that “fraudulent provision of information about one’s connections, which may have an impact on the protection of state secrets, is inconsistent with conscientious performance of duties of an MP.”

Žalimas emphasized that, under the Constitutional doctrine, “the field of state secrets is not exclusive here – status of an MP does not mean that he can regard these matters in a somewhat more relaxed manner.”

Last December, the Constitutional Court ruled that Bastys had committed a gross violation of the country’s main law and his oath of office by concealing ties with a former KGB employee, Piotr Voyeiko.

The parliament should Tuesday vote on revocation of his mandate.