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New Straits Times
22 minutes ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Ukraine curbs anti-corruption agencies, sparking rare protests
KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a bill on Tuesday revoking the autonomy of two anti-corruption agencies, a proposal that has sparked rare street protests in Kyiv and alarm among the country's international backers. Critics say the legislation consolidates power in Zelenskyy's hands and will allow government meddling in high-profile graft cases. The European Union called the decision a "serious step back", while hundreds gathered in central Kyiv to oppose the measure – a show of anti-government anger rarely seen since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Lawmakers in Ukraine's parliament voted 263 to 13 to approve the bill, the majority of those in favour being from Zelensky's ruling party. Zelenskyy later signed the bill into law, a senior official told AFP. The bill would place the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under the direct authority of the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the president. The NABU investigates instances of corruption among state institutions, while the SAPO prosecutes other corruption. The Anti-Corruption Action Center, an NGO, said the law would render the agencies meaningless as Zelenskyy's prosecutor general would "stop investigations into all of the president's friends." Protesters in the capital expressed anger at the measure. Some chanted "veto the law." "The bill is being rushed through," said 26-year-old game designer Anastasia. "It is clear that this is a targeted effort," she added. The protesters jeered and booed after Zelenskyy signed the bill into law, an AFP reporter saw. NABU began work in 2015, as Kyiv sought to bring the country closer to Europe after a 2014 pro-European revolution. Since its inception, the agency has uncovered widespread graft, including among figures in Zelenskyy's administration. Many opponents of the law voiced concern that Ukraine was reversing course after a decade of democratisation. Ukraine has taken a tough stance on corruption in recent years, both as a prerequisite to joining the EU and to reassure allies who have sent wartime aid, but investigators say it remains a serious problem. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos slammed the vote and said anti-graft institutions were "essential for Ukraine's EU path." "Seriously concerned over today's vote," Kos wrote on X. "The dismantling of key safeguards protecting NABU's independence is a serious step back." The chair of the Ukrainian parliament's anti-corruption committee, Anastasia Radina, said the bill ran counter to Ukraine's EU accession process. One European diplomat speaking on the condition of anonymity described the move as "unfortunate." "Is it a setback? Yes. Is this a point of non-return? No," the official told a small group of reporters, including AFP. Ukraine's former foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, who resigned from the government in 2024, said the measures marked a "bad day for Ukraine." "Now the President has a choice – to stand on the side of the people or not," he said. On Monday, law enforcement conducted large-scale raids at the NABU, detaining one employee on suspicion of spying for Russia. Transparency International's Ukraine office called the raids an "attempt by the authorities to undermine the independence of Ukraine's post-Revolution of Dignity anti-corruption institutions." Transparency International ranked Ukraine 105th out of 180 countries in its "corruption perceptions index" in 2024, up from 144 in 2013.
Al Bawaba
an hour ago
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Zelensky's anti-corruption bill trigger protests in Kyiv
Published July 23rd, 2025 - 07:07 GMT ALBAWABA - Hundreds took to the streets of Kyiv to protest against Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky on Tuesday, over his decision to ink an anti-corruption bill. Also Read Video: Italian Zelensky shocks the internet According to protesters, Zelensky agreed to a bill to back legislation curbing the independence of anti-corruption agencies. In detail, the Ukrainian leader signed a bill into law granting the Prosecutor General's Office authority to intervene in the operations of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) sparking anger across the country. Kyiv, right stopped tanks —don't think they won't stop corruption breaks this nation. I love my people. — UAVoyager🇺🇦 (@NAFOvoyager) July 22, 2025 According to Russian media, the protests erupted after several security raids on NABU offices where a senior official was arrested and accused of spying for Moscow. The new law triggered concern by European countries and drew sharp criticism from opposition politicians. Demonstrations were held in central Kyiv and people chanted "Zelya is the devil," using a mocking diminutive of Zelensky's surname. In addition, protesters were also heard shouting "Shame" and "Treason," holding signs calling to freeze the bill and preserve the anti-corruption system's independence. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Thousands Gather to Protest as Zelenskyy Signs Bill Weakening Anti-Corruption Agencies
Thousands of people gathered in Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine on Tuesday to urge the president to veto a controversial bill that threatens anti-corruption infrastructure. It marked the first major rally against the government in more than three years of war. Ukraine 's parliament passed legislation that will tighten oversight of two key anti-corruption agencies, which critics say could significantly weaken their independence and give President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's circle greater sway over investigations. Zelenskyy signed the bill into law, according to the parliament's website late Tuesday. Fighting entrenched corruption is crucial for Ukraine's bid to join the European Union and maintain access to billions of dollars in Western aid. The legislation's passage has triggered public outrage in Ukraine, with some saying it appeared to be a greater moral blow than the routine Russian drone and missile attacks. The changes would grant the prosecutor general new authority over investigations and cases handled by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). "In effect, if this bill becomes law, the head of SAPO will become a nominal figure, while NABU will lose its independence and turn into a subdivision of the prosecutor general's office," the agencies said in a joint statement on Telegram. In a post on X, the EU's Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos expressed concern over the vote in the parliament, called the Rada, calling it "a serious step back." Kos added: "Independent bodies like NABU & SAPO are essential for Ukraine's EU path. Rule of Law remains in the very center of EU accession negotiations." While rallies have taken place during the war in Ukraine, they have largely focused on the return of prisoners of war or missing people. Protests, however, remain a traditional form of public pressure in Ukraine, where two previous revolutions were victorious for the public. "Corruption is a problem in any country, and it must always be fought," said Ihor Lachenkov, a blogger and activist who urged people to join the protest through his social media platforms, which reach more than 1.5 million followers. "Ukraine has far fewer resources than Russia in this war," he said. "If we misuse them, or worse, allow them to end up in the pockets of thieves, our chances of victory diminish. All our resources must go toward the fight." The Ukrainian branch of Transparency International criticized parliament's decision, saying it undermines one of the most significant reforms since what Ukraine calls its Revolution of Dignity in 2014 and damages trust with international partners. The group urged Zelenskyy to veto the law, warning that otherwise he would share responsibility with the Rada for "dismantling Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure." Many protesters carried signs reading "Veto the law,Protect the anti-corruption system, protect Ukraine's future," or simply "We are against it." The mood of anger and frustration among the war-weary Ukrainians prevailed in the crowd. Some protesters accused Ukraine's leadership of prioritizing loyalty and personal connections over the fight against corruption. "Those who swore to protect the laws and the Constitution have instead chosen to shield their inner circle, even at the expense of Ukrainian democracy," said veteran Oleh Symoroz, sitting in a wheelchair because both his legs were amputated after he was wounded in 2022. "Instead of setting an example of zero tolerance for corruption, the president is using his power to take control of criminal cases involving his allies," he said. On Monday, Ukraine's domestic security agency detained two NABU officials on suspicion of links to Russia and searched other agency employees on unrelated allegations. Zelenskyy's office didn't respond to a request for comment. Last week, the president carried out a reshuffle of his wartime Cabinet, a move widely viewed as further consolidating power within his inner circle.
Russia Today
an hour ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Zelensky ends independence of anti-graft bodies
The Ukrainian Parliament has voted to end the independence of the country's anti-corruption agencies. The ongoing crackdown has triggered international scrutiny and protests across the country. The Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday approved legislation placing the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under executive oversight. Lawmakers opposing the bill reportedly shouted 'shame!' as the results were read out. Later in the day, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky signed the bill into law. The vote came just a day after the country's domestic security service raided the NABU's headquarters, arresting two investigators. The raids elicited concern from G7 ambassadors, who said they were monitoring the situation. Anti-corruption activists called the timing deliberate. 'This is about silencing NABU and SAPO as they close in on Zelensky's inner circle,' the NGO Anti-Corruption Action Center stated. The legislation was introduced by lawmakers from Zelensky's ruling party and was initially aimed at changing Ukraine's criminal code under martial law before last-minute amendments targeting anti-corruption bodies were added. MP Anastasia Radina warned the changes would 'effectively dismantle' anti-graft infrastructure, turning the NABU and SAPO into 'purely decorative institutions … completely dependent on the will of the prosecutor-general.' The agencies were created in 2015 as part of a Western-backed push to ensure prosecutorial independence – a key condition for Ukraine's EU bid and international lending. The NABU received significant technical and equipment support from the US, UK, and EU. European Commissioner Marta Kos condemned the 'dismantling of key safeguards protecting NABU's independence as a serious step back' in the country's reform trajectory, saying the rule of law remains central to Ukraine's EU bid. European Commission spokesman Guillaume Mercier called the agencies 'crucial' for fighting corruption and maintaining public trust. He stressed that Ukraine's accession would require 'strong institutional resilience,' and noted that EU aid remains tied to reforms. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko dismissed the backlash, calling corruption concerns 'overemphasized,' and signaled Kiev would seek more IMF support. Brussels has long viewed corruption as a key obstacle to Kiev's EU ambitions. Ukraine's reputation for endemic graft has deepened since the conflict with Russia escalated in 2022. The defense sector has been hit by procurement scandals, while donors have pushed for greater transparency.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Protests Break Out Against Zelensky in Ukraine: What to Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Protests have broken out against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after he signed a bill that critics says weakens the country's anti-corruption agencies. The law effectively strips the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) of their independence and places them under the control of the prosecutor general. It will make it easier for the government to control which cases are pursued. Dmytro Koziatynskyi, a veteran of the Russia-Ukraine war, rallied hundreds of Ukrainians for the protests on Tuesday. He called the bill an "assault on the anti-corruption framework," according to Ukrainska Pravda. He added: "Time is not on our side... we must take to the streets tonight and urge Zelensky to prevent a return to the dark days of Yanukovych. See you this evening!" He was referring to Ukraine's former president Viktor Yanukovych, who was removed from the presidency in 2014 following weeks of protests. People chant during a protest in central Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday. People chant during a protest in central Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday. AP This is a developing story. More to follow.
