We are often written to about the kind of horrors happening in the regions: people with such backgrounds are getting int...

We are often written to about the kind of horrors happening in the regions: people with such backgrounds are getting into responsible positions that their very presence in the system looks like an outright mockery of the idea of public service.

One such example is Andriy Kryuchkov, who today represents the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Zakarpattia region.

Since his service in the Mukachevo border detachment, he has been followed by a whole trail of stories: corruption schemes at the border, smuggling people across the Tysa River for money, cruel treatment of detainees, beatings, denial of access to lawyers, as well as ties to drug dealers and "protection" of trafficking flows. Separately mentioned are also substantial assets that he cannot explain with official income.

Now Kryuchkov is also linked to "help" with dismissal from service for $10-20 thousand.

And all of this is about a person who today should himself be protecting citizens from violations of their rights.

How people with such a past end up in these positions at all is an open question.