Peculiarities of the exercise of coordinating powers by prosecution office heads in the sphere of combating organized crime: analysis of recent changes

This article explores the challenges associated with exercising coordination authority in the field of combating organized crime by the leadership of prosecution authorities. Two levels of coordination among law enforcement agencies are identified: the national level (Office of the Prosecutor General) and the regional level (regional prosecution offices). The article concludes that the assignment of coordination functions to the heads of prosecution bodies at both central and regional levels is determined by their administrative roles and the specifics of their procedural and oversight status. Effective coordination of law enforcement activities in the fight against organized crime by the First Deputy and Deputy Prosecutors General, as well as deputy heads of regional prosecution offices, requires a formal distribution of responsibilities that includes accountability for managing structural units tasked with overseeing criminal proceedings related specifically to organized crime. Coordination measures are carried out within the scope of authority of the designated units. Attention is drawn to the absence of oversight powers among prosecutors of district prosecution offices during the pre-trial investigation of crimes committed by organized groups and criminal organizations. Consequently, heads of district prosecution offices are unable to coordinate the activities of law enforcement agencies in the field of combating organized crime. The article outlines recent changes in the organization of prosecutorial oversight of compliance with the law in criminal proceedings related to organized crime and in the conduct of operational-search activities in this area. It highlights the de facto erosion of prosecutors’ specialization in combating organized crime and the redistribution of their powers across numerous other structural units, according to their respective competences and specializations. The article substantiates the need for regulatory reform to address the organization of prosecutorial oversight in the field of combating organized crime. It calls for the harmonization of internal regulatory acts issued by the Office of the Prosecutor General and for restoring and strengthening the institution of specialized prosecutors in this domain.