Baloha accused Avakov of covering smuggling in Transcarpathia

MP Victor Baloha said that smuggling in Transcarpathia is controlled by Kyiv government, in particular the Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov.

He said this in an interview to the "Ukrainska Pravda".

Baloha said that smuggling is dependent on the ability to reach agreement with the local police and border guards.

"Now tell me: who appoints border guards in Transcarpathia or in any other region? In Kyiv, the Border Guard Service. Who appoints the chief of regional police? The Minister. Who controls border guards? Apparently, Avakov" – Baloha said.

Baloha also said that the chief of the regional police Serhiy Sharanych was appointed under a "quota" of the "People’s Front". And now they want to promote him."

According to him, Sharanych, with whom he has had a long-standing conflict, was covering smuggling in collusion with non-affiliated deputy Mykhailo Lanyo and deputy of the "People’s Front" Valeriy Lunchenko.

When asked whether he believes that Avakov bears personal responsibility for the situation in Transcarpathia, Baloha said: "Definitely. You can quote me."