Viktor Shokin

Biography

Shokin was born 4 November 1952 in Kiev. After graduating the Kharkiv Juristic Institute (today Yaroslav the Wise Law Academy of Ukraine) in 1980, Shokin worked for the Prosecutor General Office as investigator until 2001. In the interview to Ukrayinska Pravda he stated that he was forced to retire in 2001 after refusing to take on the case against Yulia Tymoshenko.

Shokin was appointed General Prosecutor of Ukraine on 10 February 2015. He became deeply unpopular and was accused of blocking major cases against allies and influential figures and hindering the fight against corruption in Ukraine. Various street protests demanding Shokin's resignation were held and his Deputy Prosecutor, Vitaly Kasko, resigned on 15 February 2016 denouncing the corruption and lawlessness of the Prosecutor's office. US Vice-President Joe Biden lobbied for Shokin resignation and the Obama Administration withheld a billion dollars in loan guarantees for the time Shokin held office.

Prosecutor General Shokin on 16 February 2016 submitted a letter of resignation. Although the next day an official of the prosecution office stated "As far as I know he has taken a paid leave". On 19 February 2016 presidential press secretary Sviatoslav Tsegolko wrote on Twitter that the presidential administration had received an official letter of resignation from Shokin. On 16 March 2016 an official of the prosecution office stated that Shokin had resumed his work. On 16 March 2016 Shokin had not been formally dismissed. Shokin was formally dismissed in a parliamentary vote on 29 March 2016. Following his dismissal Shokin went into retirement.