The Ukrainian Parliament’s Law Enforcement Committee has endorsed a presidential bill aimed at strengthening the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). This legislative move is part of a broader effort to enhance the capacity of these agencies to combat corruption within the country. The bill, numbered 13533, is set to undergo further review before being submitted to the full Verkhovna Rada for potential adoption.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s initiative is seen as a significant development in Ukraine’s ongoing fight against corruption. The proposed legislation would grant NABU and SAPO expanded investigative and prosecutorial powers, allowing them to pursue high-profile corruption cases more effectively. This includes the authority to seize assets and conduct independent investigations, which are critical elements in the fight against systemic corruption.
The approval of the bill by the committee signals a growing consensus among Ukrainian lawmakers on the need to strengthen these anti-corruption bodies. However, there are concerns about the potential for abuse of these expanded powers, highlighting the importance of robust oversight mechanisms to ensure that these agencies operate within legal boundaries.