President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi agreed the text of the new draft law, which concerns the activities of anti-corruption bodies. This happened against the background of the high-profile draft law No. 12414, which provides for limiting the independence of NABU and SAP.
“I just approved the text of the draft law, which guarantees the real strengthening of the law and order system in Ukraine, the independence of anti-corruption bodies, as well as reliable protection of the law and order system from any Russian influence or interference. The text is balanced.
The most important thing is real tools, no Russian connections and the independence of NABU and SAP. The bill will be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine today. It is important that we maintain unity. It is important that we maintain our independence. It is important that we respect the position of all Ukrainians and are grateful to everyone who is with Ukraine.” – said the head of state.
We will remind you that on July 22, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law that actually undermines the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, a body created in 2015 with the support of the United States and other Western partners.
According to the document, the Prosecutor General, who is appointed by the president, receives expanded powers to control NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office. In the evening of the same day, President Zelensky, having the support of a monomajority in the parliament, signed the law.
During the press conference on July 22, NABU Director Semen Kryvonos stated that the initiators of the draft law were the officials involved in the agency’s investigations. After the appearance of unofficial information about the signing of the document, protests began in various cities of Ukraine. Subsequently, Volodymyr Zelensky announced the development of a new draft law on the anti-corruption system. Both NABU and SAP reacted positively to this initiative.
