logo
Lawmakers in Ukraine vote to curb autonomy of anti-graft agencies

Lawmakers in Ukraine vote to curb autonomy of anti-graft agencies

Straits Times3 days ago
Find out what's new on ST website and app.
Ukraine's Parliament passed a Bill on July 22 which tightens control over two key anti-corruption agencies at the centre of the government's reform drive.
KYIV - Ukraine's Parliament voted on July 22 to tighten restrictions on two key anti-corruption agencies at the centre of the government's reform drive, rolling back their autonomy in favour of tighter executive control.
Stamping out endemic graft is a key requirement for Kyiv to join the European Union, as well as to secure billions in Western aid.
Independent investigators have in recent months embarrassed senior officials with allegations of corruption.
The July 22 vote paves the way for the general prosecutor, appointed by the president, to gain more control over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), several lawmakers said.
On July 21, Kyiv's domestic security agency
arrested two NABU officials on suspicion of ties to Russia and conducted searches into agency employees on other grounds.
Critics and the two agencies said the crackdown went too far.
No senior official has publicly commented on the reasoning for the July 22 draft law, which would allow the general prosecutor to transfer cases from the agencies and reassign prosecutors.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat
Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22
Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking
Singapore Singapore, Vietnam agree to step up defence ties, dialogue between leaders
Asia Malaysia govt's reform pledge tested as DAP chief bows over unresolved 2009 death of political aide
Tech Singapore to increase pool of early adopters in AI to complement data scientists, engineers
Singapore Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments
Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving
President Volodymyr Zelensky's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, NABU chief Semen Kryvonos urged Mr Zelensky not to sign the Bill, which he described as an attempt to 'destroy' Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure.
Ukraine's government bonds fell more than 2 per cent in the international markets, with the bulk of the US$20 billion (S$25 billion) of debt it restructured in 2024 down over one cent at between 45 and 50 cents on the dollar.
Pressure on agencies
EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos said she was 'seriously concerned' by the vote.
'The dismantling of key safeguards protecting NABU's independence is a serious step back,' she wrote on X, adding that rule of law was at 'the very centre' of accession talks.
NABU chief Semen Kryvonos urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky not to sign the Bill that was approved by Ukraine's Parliament.
PHOTO: REUTERS
More on this topic Ukraine conducts widespread searches, arrests of anti-corruption officials
NABU and SAPO were established after the 2014 Maidan revolution that toppled a pro-Russian president and set Kyiv on a Western course.
The two agencies have stepped up their work since Russia's full-scale invasion, levelling charges against lawmakers, ministers and a former deputy head of Mr Zelenskiy's administration.
Anti-graft campaigners have been alarmed since authorities charged a top anti-corruption activist earlier this month with fraud and evading military service.
Critics have cast those charges as political retribution for exposing corrupt officials.
'Most dangerous moment'
A Western diplomat familiar with Ukraine's reform effort described the developments as 'the most dangerous moment' yet for the independence of anti-corruption authorities.
'The Ukrainian side is testing the limits more and more,' the person said, referring to the patience of Kyiv's allies.
The government also faced criticism for rejecting the candidacy of an economic security chief and current NABU detective who was unanimously backed by an internationally supervised committee.
Many influential Ukrainians lashed out after the July 22 vote, saying it was a betrayal of Ukraine's decade-long geopolitical ambition.
'What kind of European integration can we talk about now?!!!!' wrote Mr Serhiy Prytula, a prominent crowdfunder for the military and one-time politician, on X.
'A bloody shame.' REUTERS
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kremlin says Putin and Zelenskiy can only meet as final step to clinch a peace deal
Kremlin says Putin and Zelenskiy can only meet as final step to clinch a peace deal

Straits Times

time19 minutes ago

  • Straits Times

Kremlin says Putin and Zelenskiy can only meet as final step to clinch a peace deal

Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with VTB Bank President and Chairman of the United Shipbuilding Corporation Management Board Andrey Kostin and United Shipbuilding Corporation Director General Andrei Puchkov, in Severodvinsk, Arkhangelsk region, Russia July 24, 2025. Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo MOSCOW - The Kremlin said on Friday that a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy could only happen as a final step to seal a peace deal. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that it was unlikely that such a meeting could occur by the end of August, as Ukraine has proposed. "A summit meeting can and should put the final point on a settlement and cement the modalities and agreements worked out by experts. It is impossible to do it the other way round," Peskov told reporters. "Is it possible to go through such a complex process in 30 days? Well, obviously, it is unlikely." Ukraine says a leaders' meeting is required in order to achieve a breakthrough in the slow-moving process, which has seen the two sides hold three brief sessions of peace talks in Turkey since mid-May. In comments to journalists, Zelenskiy said Russia had begun to engage over the possibility of such a meeting. "Now, in talks with us, they have begun to discuss it. This is already progress towards some kind of meeting format," he said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore SMRT to pay lower fine of $2.4m for EWL disruption; must invest at least $600k to boost reliability Singapore MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA Asia Live: Thailand-Cambodia border clashes continue for second day Singapore Vapes: The silent killer hiding in the pocket Singapore Vape disposal bins at 23 CCs for users to surrender e-vaporisers without facing penalties Singapore Fine for couple whose catering companies owed $432,000 in salaries to 103 employees Singapore Tipsy Collective sues former directors, HR head; alleges $14m lost from misconduct, poor decisions Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly A Ukrainian delegate said after the latest round of peace talks on Wednesday, which lasted just 40 minutes, that Kyiv had proposed a Putin-Zelenskiy meeting in August because that would fall within the 50-day deadline that U.S. President Donald Trump had set last week for a deal. Trump has threatened new sanctions on Russia and buyers of its exports unless an agreement is reached by early September. Peskov once again described the two sides' negotiating positions as "diametrically opposed". "It is unlikely that they can be brought together overnight. This will require very complex diplomatic work," he said. REUTERS

Day of prayers for victims after Bangladesh jet crash
Day of prayers for victims after Bangladesh jet crash

Straits Times

time19 minutes ago

  • Straits Times

Day of prayers for victims after Bangladesh jet crash

Find out what's new on ST website and app. Muslims offer a special prayer at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka on July 25. DHAKA - Special prayers were held across Bangladesh on July 25, as the death toll from a fighter jet crash into a school building in Dhaka rose to 32. Most of the dead were children – the youngest aged nine – after the Chinese-made F-7 BJI aircraft slammed into the Milestone School and College on July 21 following a mechanical failure. The authorities earlier said 31 people were killed and 170 injured in the deadliest aviation disaster in the country in decades. The latest to succumb to her injuries was 10-year-old Tasnim Afroz Ayman, hospital coordinator Sarkar Farhana Kabir told AFP. 'She was undergoing treatment in the High Dependency Unit with 45 per cent burns,' she said. Ayman's uncle, Mr Saiful Islam, said she remained calm and composed despite undergoing excruciating pain during her final hours. 'Even last night, she consoled her mother. But God had other plans,' Mr Saiful told AFP. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore SMRT to pay lower fine of $2.4m for EWL disruption; must invest at least $600k to boost reliability Singapore MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA Asia Live: Thailand-Cambodia border clashes continue for second day Singapore Vapes: The silent killer hiding in the pocket Singapore Vape disposal bins at 23 CCs for users to surrender e-vaporisers without facing penalties Singapore Fine for couple whose catering companies owed $432,000 in salaries to 103 employees Singapore Tipsy Collective sues former directors, HR head; alleges $14m lost from misconduct, poor decisions Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly As of July 25, 51 others were receiving treatment in various city hospitals. Following a government directive, all mosques across the country held special prayers during the July 25 congregation. Mr Ashraful Islam, who came to pray at a mosque close to the school, lost both his children – Tahia Ashraf Nazia, 13, and Arian Ashraf Nafi, 9. 'I have nothing left,' Mr Ashraful told reporters. Nazia kept asking about her younger brother Nafi until her last breath, he added. Her final request was for an ice cream, said her aunt Naznin Akhter. 'I'm burning inside. Give me some ice cream... and don't let go of my hand,' were her last words, she told a local TV channel. India and Singapore have sent doctors specialising in burn care to assist their Bangladesh colleagues. A military investigation has been opened to determine the cause of the accident. AFP

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store