KIEV, Ukraine, Nov. 3 (UPI) — Ukraine’s top prosecutor survived what authorities are calling a failed assassination attempt after a sniper fired three shots at his office in Kiev on Monday.
The BBC reports Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin’s life was saved by bullet-proof glass and that no one was injured in the attack, for which no groups have claimed responsibility.
Critics of Shokin say he has rigged Ukraine’s official anti-corruption drive by failing to bring any legitimate corruption cases to court.
Shokin denies the allegations, noting UKROP party leader Hennadiy Korban was detained over the weekend in relation to multiple charges stemming from corruption.
Several Ukrainian MPs have reportedly characterized Korban’s arrest as “politically motivated,” as he was a close ally of Ihor Kolomoysky, a millionaire and recent political rival of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
Ukrainian media reports Korban was detained Oct. 31 on suspicion of involvement in organized crime, embezzlement and kidnapping but was released after prosecutors failed to issue an arrest warrant against him within a 72-hour period.
The Prosecutor General’s office ordered Korban’s arrest again on Monday, alleging it had discovered new information linking him to several crimes.
