President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has signed draft law No. 12414, which imposes restrictions on the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). According to the Verkhovna Rada’s website, the law was reported on Tuesday, marking a pivotal development in Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts. The legislation aims to limit the investigative autonomy of these bodies, raising concerns among legal experts and civil society groups about potential erosion of judicial independence.
Zelenskyy’s decision to sign the law comes amid ongoing debates about the effectiveness and integrity of Ukraine’s anti-corruption mechanisms. The NABU and SAPO have long been central to the country’s fight against systemic corruption, and their reduced autonomy could have far-reaching implications for the prosecution of high-profile corruption cases. The move has also sparked discussions about the balance between strengthening state control over anti-corruption institutions and preserving their independence to ensure impartial investigations.
The law’s provisions include measures that require these agencies to operate under broader governmental oversight, potentially reducing their ability to act independently without approval from other state bodies. While supporters argue that the legislation addresses gaps in previous anti-corruption frameworks, critics warn that it could undermine the agencies’ ability to investigate powerful elites without political interference. The impact on Ukraine’s judicial system and its reputation as a leader in the global fight against corruption remains a critical issue to monitor in the coming months.