The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has signed a law that strengthens the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP). This document was adopted by the Verkhovna Rada and has immediately come into effect.
This is reported by Business • Media
Main Changes in the Work of Anti-Corruption Agencies
The legislative innovations are aimed at enhancing the institutional independence of NABU and SAP. In particular, the document guarantees protection for the activities of these agencies from influence and interference by the Russian Federation, which is especially relevant in the context of ongoing aggression. An important change is the establishment of SAP’s status as an agency that independently conducts procedural leadership in the investigation of crimes that fall under NABU’s jurisdiction.
Additionally, the law implements mechanisms to prevent potential attempts at espionage and subversive activities by foreign intelligence services against employees of anti-corruption agencies.
International Support for Ukrainian Reforms
European leaders have highly praised the adoption of this law. The President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, welcomed the changes in Ukraine’s anti-corruption infrastructure. They emphasized that the further development of reforms, particularly regarding the rule of law and the fight against corruption, is crucial for Ukraine’s integration into the European Union.
The law aims to guarantee the strengthening of the institutional independence of NABU and SAP, as well as to provide reliable protection for their activities from the influences and interference of the aggressor state, the Russian Federation.