Ukraine moves against independent anti-corruption institutions
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
EU is not yet considering suspending funding for Ukraine over actions against NABU and SAPO
European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said that the European Union is not going to raise the issue of suspending financial assistance to Ukraine. Mercier explained that when it comes to the financial support provided by the EU to Ukraine, there are a number of decision systems and control mechanisms that could theoretically be applied. The official noted that the EU is concerned about the situation with NABU and SAPO.
Source: Mercier in response to a question from European Pravda
Details: He said that “it’s not a discussion at this stage”.
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Mercier explained that when it comes to the financial support provided by the EU to Ukraine, there are a number of decision systems and control mechanisms that could theoretically be applied.
“I mean, they are safeguards that we have. Once we get there, I mean, we’ll see if we ever get there,” said the European Commission spokesman.
At the same time, the official noted that the EU is concerned about the situation with NABU and SAPO.
On 21 July, ambassadors of the Group of Seven countries expressed concern over the investigative actions of the Security Service of Ukraine against the National Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Background: Before that, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) voted in the second reading for draft law No. 12414, which makes the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) dependent on the decisions of the Prosecutor General. Currently, these are independent anti-corruption institutions.
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Ukraine Tightens Control Over Anti-Corruption Agencies, Sparking International Concern
Ukrainian lawmakers have approved a tightening of restrictions on two crucial anticorruption agencies. A total of 263 deputies in the 450-seat Verkhovna Rada voted in favor of the law. The law limits the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) The legal changes have reignited concern that Ukraine’s deep-rooted problems with corruption are not being tackled, with efforts to promote accountability and transparency facing pushback from powerful vested interests. The Group of Seven countries, meanwhile, expressed “serious concerns” about the events surrounding NABU, saying they intend to discuss these developments with government leaders. The country slipped last year, the group said, due to reforms “being implemented only formally” or the implementation was “being deliberately stalled”
A total of 263 deputies in the 450-seat Verkhovna Rada voted in favor of a law that limits the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).
The law, broughtforward by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s the Servant of the People Party, makes the Prosecutor General the de facto head of SAPO, effectively stripping the agency’s chief of their authority.
It also allows the Prosecutor General to unilaterally close cases involving top officials and let’s the Prosecutor General reassign cases being investigated by NABU to other agencies.
“With this decision, Parliament not only strips society of one of the greatest achievements since the Revolution of Dignity — independent anti-corruption institutions — but also undermines the trust of Ukraine’s international partners,” Transparency International Ukraine said in a note after the approval.
“The only way to reverse the damage is for the President to veto the law. Otherwise, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will share responsibility with the Verkhovna Rada for dismantling Ukraine’s anti-corruption infrastructure.”
The legal changes have reignited concern that Ukraine’s deep-rooted problems with corruption are not being tackled, with efforts to promote accountability and transparency facing pushback from powerful vested interests.
Last week, Vitaliy Shabunin, one of Ukraine’s most prominent activists on corruption issues and the number 2 at NABU, was in court for allegedly systematically evading military service while claiming army pay worth $1,200 per month and illegally using a military vehicle.
Investigators said Shabunin could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of the charges.
His supporters have called the charges “absurd,” noting that he was absent from his unit because he was seconded to work at NABU, on an official government anti-corruption body.
“The case results from either “complete incompetence of officials” or a “targeted attack aimed at putting pressure on Vitaliy Shabunin, who, while serving in the military, continued to criticize the work of state bodies,” a statement by 59 Ukrainian non-governmental organizations issued on July 15 said.
Even a lawmaker from Zelenskyy’s own party, Anastasia Radina, described the case as a “selective miscarriage of justice.”
Ambassadors of the Group of Seven countries, meanwhile, expressed “serious concerns” about the events surrounding NABU, saying they intend to discuss these developments with government leaders.
“We all have a shared commitment to support transparency, independent institutions, and good governance, and we value our partnerships in Ukraine to combat corruption together,” the countries said in a statement.
International perceptions of corruption in Ukraine are key to the country maintaining confidence from allies who have supported Kyiv in its war against invading Russian forces.
Corruption remains a persistent internal threat, illustrated by a series of scandals in recent years involving the Defense Ministry, national prosecutors, and wealthy businessmen.
Zelenskyy’s landslide election victory in 2019 was widely seen as another push to try to move society beyond old habits: away from bribery and kickbacks — big and small — and toward transparency and accountability.
Russia’s war has made it more difficult.
During the invasion, defense planners have been raked over the coals for several eye-popping procurement scandals.
Transparency International, whose corruption perception ratings are closely watched around the world, said Ukraine had improved markedly in recent yearsdue to “reforms aimed at European integration and the fulfillment of international obligations.”
However, the country slipped last year, the group said, due to reforms “being implemented only formally,” or the implementation was “being deliberately stalled.”
Overall, Ukraine rated in 105th place out of 180 countries in the organization’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index — ahead of Russia and Belarus but behind Moldova, Hungary, and Romania. The United States was in 28th place.
Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions urge Zelenskyy to veto law threatening their independence
Heads of Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and SAPO have implored President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reject draft law No. 12414. They warn the move obliterates the independence of these institutions. NABU detectives are charged with treason, illegal trade with Russia and corruption in the interests of oligarchs. Meanwhile, the State Bureau of Investigations has stepped up its efforts with materials on a traffic accident that occurred several years ago involving NABu employees. The Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) is poised to debate draft law №12414.
The heads of Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have implored President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reject draft law No. 12414, a move they warn obliterates the independence of these institutions.
Source: briefing by NABU Director Semen Kryvonos and SAPO Head Oleksandr Klymenko in Kyiv
Quote from Kryvonos: “Now the anti-corruption infrastructure – what was forged from the Euromaidan demand, the societal cry and the urgent need to tackle high-ranking corruption – has been shattered. Today, it lies in ruins, undermined even by those suspected by the anti-corruption prosecutor’s office.”
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Details: He underscored that NABU and SAPO are “categorically against this”.
“Now [there is still time to stop it – ed.], there is also the president’s signature [to enact the decision – ed.]. We beseech him not to sign this bill and return it with a decisive veto,” Kryvonos asserted.
He warned that adopting this measure jeopardises Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic ambitions.
“We yearn to see Ukraine radiant, bolstered by a robust, powerful anti-corruption framework, because Ukrainian society deserves no less,” he concluded.
Background:
On 21 July, employees of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Prosecutor General’s Office conducted approximately 80 searches of 19 employees of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau in various oblasts of Ukraine.
The security forces did not have court warrants to conduct the searches, but they do not consider this a violation of the law since obtaining such warrants could “cause information leaks” and “harm the conduct of special operations”.
NABU detectives are charged with treason, illegal trade with Russia and corruption in the interests of oligarchs. Meanwhile, the State Bureau of Investigations has stepped up its efforts with materials on a traffic accident that occurred several years ago involving NABU employees.
Representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Office of the Prosecutor General are also checking the state of state secrecy protection in the SAPO. The check concerns NABU employees with access to state secrets and conducting covert investigative actions.
Simultaneously, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) is poised to debate draft law №12414, which NABU and SAPO caution could erode the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions.
On the same day, the ambassadors of the G7 countries echoed concerns over the SSU’s actions against NABU.
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Ukrainian parliament’s speaker signs law stripping anti-corruption agencies of independence
Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) Ruslan Stefanchuk has signed the law passed at Tuesday’s session introducing amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code. The law includes provisions that strip anti-corruption agencies of their independence. The heads of NABU and SAPO implored President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reject draft law No. 12414.
Source: the draft law on the parliament’s website
Details: It is stated that the law has been sent for approval by the president of Ukraine.
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Background:
On 22 July, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) voted for draft law No. 12414 at second reading, according to which the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) – which are currently independent – will become dependent on decisions made by the prosecutor general.
The heads of NABU and SAPO implored President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reject draft law No. 12414, a move they warn obliterates the independence of these institutions.
The ambassadors of the Group of Seven countries expressed concern over investigative actions carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) against NABU.
The European Union voiced deep concern over Ukraine’s recent moves against NABU and SAPO.
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Ukraine’s corruption watchdog claims three detectives beaten during searches
Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau Director Semen Kryvonos claims that during the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) searches on 21 July, three of his employees were beaten. Yet, all day yesterday, they couldn’t have their injuries documented, as medical institutions were persuaded to refuse treating our detectives. This interference, based on operational intel, came from one of the heads of divisions within the Kyiv City State Administration. The detectives – searched but not detained, and against whom force was used – approached several medical facilities only to face refusals or reluctance to record the extent of their injuries. The 19 NABU detectives are charged with treason, illegal trade with Russia and corruption in the interests of oligarchs.
Source: briefing by NABU Director Semen Kryvonos and SAPO Head Oleksandr Klymenko in Kyiv
Quote from Kryvonos: “Three employees, who hadn’t been detained but were subjected to searches, suffered injuries of varying severity [on 21 July – ed.]. Yet, all day yesterday, they couldn’t have their injuries documented, as medical institutions were persuaded to refuse treating our detectives.
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This interference, based on operational intel, came from one of the heads of divisions within the Kyiv City State Administration…
Yesterday, the detectives – searched but not detained, and against whom force was used – approached several medical facilities only to face refusals or reluctance to record the extent of their injuries.
According to our findings, pressure was exerted on the heads of these medical institutions to deny NABU employees the chance to document their injuries.”
Details: Kryvonos also noted that preventive measures are being selected for the NABU employees, who had been served with notices of suspicion.
Commenting on the suspicions against his staff, he suggested an intent to intimidate either himself or the SAPO head, though he does not rule out legitimate investigative actions.
He further asserted that while he supports self-purification of the system and would act if a subordinate collaborated with the aggressor, this must not serve as a pretext to dismantle the independence of NABU and SAPO.
Background:
On 21 July, employees of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Prosecutor General’s Office conducted approximately 80 searches of property belonging to 19 employees of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau in various oblasts of Ukraine.
The security forces did not have court warrants to conduct the searches, but they do not consider this a violation of the law since obtaining such warrants could “cause information leaks” and “harm the conduct of special operations”.
The 19 NABU detectives are charged with treason, illegal trade with Russia and corruption in the interests of oligarchs. Meanwhile, the State Bureau of Investigations has stepped up its efforts with materials on a traffic accident that occurred several years ago involving NABU employees.
Representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Office of the Prosecutor General are also checking the state of state secrecy protection in the SAPO. The check concerns NABU employees with access to state secrets and conducting covert investigative actions.
The Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) voted for draft law No. 12414 on second reading, according to which the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) – which are currently independent – will become dependent on decisions made by the prosecutor general.
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