Ukrainian Parliament Approves New Anti-Corruption Law
The Ukrainian Parliament has overwhelmingly approved a new anti-corruption law proposed by President Volodymyr Zelensky aimed at restoring the independence of the country's anti-corruption agencies. A total of 331 lawmakers voted in favor of the legislation, with only nine members abstaining, and no votes against.
This new law reinstates the autonomy of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), which had been placed under the General Prosecutor's Office following a controversial law signed by Zelensky two weeks prior. This earlier law had sparked public outrage, as critics argued it effectively placed these agencies under the influence of the presidency, given that the General Prosecutor is appointed by the president himself.
The move to diminish the power of the anti-corruption bodies triggered widespread protests in Kyiv and other cities, marking the first major demonstrations since the onset of Russia's invasion. The protests not only included thousands of citizens but also drew criticism from officials in EU nations and the G7, who expressed concern that undermining these institutions could jeopardize Ukraine's EU accession aspirations. Combatting corruption is a key criterion for the European Commission in the membership process.
In response to the public outcry both domestically and internationally, President Zelensky acknowledged the need to restore the independence of these agencies and announced his commitment to a new legislative initiative. Following the parliament's approval, the bill now awaits his signature to become law.
Critics of the Ukrainian government have alleged that Zelensky's actions were an attempt to shield associates from investigations, particularly targeting individuals linked to him. Reports suggest that Timur Mindyts, a former business partner of Zelensky, is reportedly under investigation by the anti-corruption agencies. Previously, NABU had acted against former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, who faced allegations of misconduct involving the privatization of state-owned land. Chernyshov was detained but later released on bail.
Additionally, anti-corruption investigators are reportedly pursuing inquiries into other figures within Zelensky's inner circle. Recent media reports indicated a raid on the residence of Rostyslav Shurma, a former advisor to Zelensky, in Bavaria, Germany. This operation was undertaken at the request of NABU, with reports suggesting that Shurma was under investigation for misconduct during his tenure as deputy head of the presidential office.
The Ukrainian government had previously justified its actions against the anti-corruption agencies by claiming inefficiencies and a lack of protection against Russian influence. Just last week, the domestic security service SBU arrested an employee during a raid on the agencies' offices, alleging espionage on behalf of Russia. While the new law reinstates the independence of the agencies, it mandates regular polygraph tests for personnel with access to classified information.