This is stated in the report by Transparency International Russia prepared jointly with the Ukrainian branch of the organization, Ukrainian online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda has reported.
The newspaper noted that the EU included Yanukovych and his associates in its sanctions list and froze their assets.
"However, the one-year sanctions validity period is expiring. In order for sanctions to be extended, a new decision of the Council of Europe is required. Apparently, the decision will depend on the ability of the Chief Prosecutor’s Office to present evidence confirming the guilt of these individuals. If the restrictive measures are lifted, it will be even more difficult for the Ukrainian authorities to track down and recover the assets, which could immediately be re-issued to third parties," the report reads.
As an example, experts noted cases of changes in the ownership of former Yanukovych’s residence Mezhyhirya and apartments owned by him.
"So far, everything that is happening to the assets of Yanukovych and his entourage bears little resemblance to legal cooperation between the countries. There are concerns that European countries will soon get tired of waiting for real help in the investigation of complicated cases involving the former president and his entourage," legal experts told the newspaper.
