Experts say Yanukovych will not be convicted

Last month, Interpol removed former President Viktor Yanukovych from the list of most wanted persons. In response, Ukraine's Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin announced that Yanukovych would be tried in absentia on charges of corruption along with five of his closest associates.

While this process is undoubtedly a positive step, it is unlikely to significantly improve the rule of law in Ukraine, as the controversies and significant delays in the quest for justice for former officials of Yanukovych's regime have seriously undermined trust in Ukraine's legal system.

Moreover, the legal controversy surrounding the trial of Yanukovych could lead to unwanted interference by Russia in the proceedings and information attacks that could weaken Poroshenko's standing in eastern Ukraine.

One of the most criticized aspects of Poroshenko's anti-corruption campaign was the slow pace of prosecution against Yanukovych and other officials of the regime. The first criminal cases were announced only in June 2015, more than 15 months after Yanukovych was ousted from power.

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Poroshenko tried to avoid criticism by asserting that over 2,700 former Ukrainian officials had been convicted of corruption, but these claims cannot be verified.

The idea that Poroshenko is merely trying to create an illusion of justice may also have implications for Ukraine's relationship with Europe. The European Union is assisting Ukraine in its quest for justice by maintaining asset freezes against Yanukovych and many of his former allies, including Klyuev. The asset freeze is particularly important as Ukrainian prosecutors have decided to focus on the financial crimes committed by the former leader's associates.

If Ukrainian courts do not provide evidence in a timely manner, the EU will be forced to ease or lift the asset freeze. Four times, asset freezes, including that of former Prime Minister Mykola Azarov's son, have already been lifted due to insufficient evidence. If the EU starts reviewing other asset freezes in light of Interpol's decision regarding Yanukovych, it will undermine confidence in the Prosecutor General and Ukrainian justice.

According to a social survey, about 76 percent of Ukrainians believe that the judicial system has a negative impact on events in Ukraine.

As is known, Yanukovych actively sought to improve relations with Russia during his presidency and currently resides in the Russian Federation, with the Kremlin firmly opposing the accusations against the former leader in Ukraine.

The official explanation of the illegitimacy of the trial, as presented by Yanukovych's lawyers, is that Yanukovych was 'forgiven' by Interpol, so any trial is a violation of international law. Additionally, Yanukovych's lawyers have already stated their readiness to appeal the trial even to the European Court of Human Rights if Ukraine does not back down.