Ukraine’s parliament is set to vote on a controversial bill that would grant the prosecutor general unprecedented authority over investigations led by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office. The proposed legislation has sparked significant concern among legal experts and civil society groups, who fear it could undermine Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts and compromise the independence of these key institutions.
Legal experts have raised concerns that the bill could enable the prosecutor general to exert undue influence over high-profile corruption cases, potentially leading to the selective prosecution of political opponents or the suppression of evidence that could implicate senior officials. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has expressed its opposition to the bill, arguing that it would weaken the independence of the institution and make it vulnerable to political interference.
International observers, including representatives from the European Union and the United States, have also voiced their concerns about the proposed legislation. They argue that the bill could undermine Ukraine’s progress in its fight against corruption and damage its reputation as a country that is committed to the rule of law. Some lawmakers have defended the bill, arguing that it is necessary to streamline anti-corruption efforts and improve the efficiency of investigations. They argue that the current structure of the anti-corruption institutions is too fragmented and that the proposed changes would help to create a more unified and effective system.