President Viktor Yanukovych on Nov. 16 issued decrees dismissing Leonid Chernovetsky as head of the Kyiv City State Administration, replacing him with Oleksandr Popov.
Prime Minister Mykola Azarov on Nov. 15 likened Chernovetsky to the Queen of England, saying Chernovetsky was performing a ceremonial function as Kyiv City Administration head.
Kyiv Mayor Leonid Chernovetsky, elected in 2006, was shortly thereafter appointed Kyiv City Administration chief by presidential decree. Former Mayor Oleksandr Omelchenko served under former President Leonid Kuchma following the same practice.
The state prosecutor’s office and State Security Services are currently investigating numerous allegations against city administration officials and Kyiv City Council deputies related to committed acts of embezzlement and fraud. No top officials have been formally charged with any wrongdoing.
