**Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Institutions Under Threat**
The Ukrainian parliament is set to vote on amendments that could destroy the independence of two key anti-corruption institutions, NABU and SAPO. According to opposition lawmakers and watchdogs, these changes would effectively make the prosecutor general the boss of both agencies.
The proposed bill would give the prosecutor general the power to issue directions in NABU’s investigations and even reassign them outside the agency. It would also allow the prosecutor general to delegate SAPO’s powers to other prosecutors. This could mean that any investigations into authorities or individuals close to President Volodymyr Zelensky would be severely hampered.
**A Threat to Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Reforms**
Ruslan Kravchenko, who was appointed as Ukraine’s prosecutor general last month, has been described by experts as a figure close to the president. Watchdogs have warned that if adopted, the amendments would undermine the ability of NABU and SAPO to investigate corruption cases effectively.
NABU has already spoken out against the changes, saying they would destroy the agency’s independence and make it subservient to the prosecutor general. The agency has urged lawmakers not to vote for the bill, warning that Ukraine’s anti-corruption infrastructure built since 2015 would be destroyed.
**A Crackdown on Anti-Corruption Bodies**
This news comes amid mounting warnings from activists about an escalating crackdown on anti-corruption bodies and NGOs in Ukraine. On July 21, law enforcement agencies carried out sweeping searches of NABU and SAPO, including the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and the State Investigation Bureau.
Fifteen NABU employees are under investigation on various grounds, with allegations ranging from traffic violations to treason. One employee was detained on charges of spying for Russia, while another is accused of involvement in drug trafficking and ties to pro-Russian groups.
**A Blow to Ukraine’s Reforms**
The proposed changes would be a significant blow to Ukraine’s anti-corruption reforms, which were established after the EuroMaidan Revolution. The country has made significant progress in fighting corruption since then, but these amendments could undermine that progress.
As Martin Fornusek, a news editor at the Kyiv Independent, noted, “Ukraine’s anti-corruption infrastructure will be destroyed” if the bill is adopted. This would not only harm the fight against corruption but also erode public trust in the government.
**What’s Next?**
The Ukrainian parliament is set to vote on the amendments on July 22. If passed, these changes could have significant implications for Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts and its reputation as a country committed to fighting corruption.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
