Ukraine Faces Protests After Zelensky Signs Law Affecting Anti-Corruption Agencies
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has enacted a law that places key anti-corruption agencies under the prosecutor general's control, prompting protests and international concern over the independence of these bodies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed new legislation that brings the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sapo) under the authority of the prosecutor general. The move has led to widespread protests in Kyiv and other cities, including Lviv, Dnipro, and Odesa, with demonstrators expressing fears that the law could undermine the independence of the country's anti-corruption institutions.
Critics argue that the law allows the prosecutor general, currently Ruslan Kravchenko, to reassign or close corruption investigations, potentially weakening oversight. Protesters in Kyiv carried signs referencing Ukraine's European aspirations and the sacrifices made during the ongoing conflict with Russia.
In a public address, Zelensky defended the measure, stating that the agencies would continue to operate but needed to be free from "Russian influence." He criticized the current effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts, saying, "There is no rational explanation for why criminal proceedings worth billions have been 'hanging' for years." Zelensky added that the prosecutor general would ensure accountability for those who break the law.
The law has drawn criticism from both domestic and international observers, who warn it could threaten Ukraine's progress on anti-corruption reforms.
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