Court Orders Investigation into ARMA's Failure to Return Seized Assets, Agency Claims No Violations

On March 23, 2026, the Pechersk District Court of Kyiv issued a ruling that compels the State Bureau of Investigations (DBR) to record details of an alleged offense by the National Agency for the Detection, Investigation, and Management of Assets Obtained from Corruption and Other Crimes (ARMA) in the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations (URPTI). This decision was reported by the Judicial and Legal Newspaper.

The basis for the DBR's involvement stems from claims that ARMA has failed to comply with court rulings and has not returned seized property to its rightful owner. The publication highlighted that 'court decisions are ignored by ARMA and are not executed, even with changes in leadership.' This situation has raised concerns among the public and human rights advocates, who believe such actions may indicate systemic issues within the agency's operations.

According to current legislation, law enforcement agencies are required to enter information into the register within 24 hours of receiving a complaint. However, the complainant noted that there was no information regarding the entry of details into the URPTI based on their complaint. The court established that at the time of the complaint's review, the information had not been entered into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations, and the investigation had not even commenced.

It is important to note that the report does not specify who the complainant is, what property is involved, or to whom it belongs. However, ARMA confirmed that 'the matter concerns the return of approximately $1 million to an individual.' This revelation has prompted further questions regarding the transparency and efficiency of the agency's work, given that the amount in question is significant and pertains to a private individual.

In response to the publication, ARMA stated that the interpretation of the article regarding the alleged 'initiation of proceedings against ARMA' is manipulative and does not reflect the essence of the court's ruling. The agency emphasized that 'the court's decision mentioned in the publication does not establish any violations by ARMA or its officials.' They also noted that the court ruling pertains solely to the procedural obligation of law enforcement to enter the relevant information into the URPTI in accordance with legal requirements.

ARMA also highlighted its readiness to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and to ensure the execution of its powers strictly within the legal framework. Before making any decisions, the agency conducts checks, including potential links to the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus, as well as the presence on sanction lists and other restrictions. 'After completing such checks, the agency will take measures in accordance with the established legal procedure,' ARMA stated in its comments.

Additionally, ARMA emphasized that it is consistently implementing institutional changes aimed at enhancing the transparency and effectiveness of managing seized assets. A crucial component of this process is international support, which assists the agency in improving its procedures and ensuring compliance with legislation.