Zelenskyy steps back following protests

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he has approved the text of a draft law that guarantees the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO).

This statement, which marks a step back for Zelenskyy, came after a law passed earlier this week—which placed NABU and SAPO under the supervision of a prosecutor general appointed by the president—triggered large-scale protests.

In his statement, Zelenskyy described the text of the new draft as balanced, stating that it aims to protect the independence of NABU and SAPO and keep these institutions free from Russian influence.

The Ukrainian leader also addressed the protests and public reaction in another message posted on social media, stating, "It is necessary to respect the views of all Ukrainians. We are grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine."

WHAT HAPPENED?

Tensions had escalated following recent investigations by NABU into politically sensitive cases, including those involving former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, former Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksiy Chernyshov, and former Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna. Earlier this week, security forces, acting on the instructions of Zelenskyy's top aide Andriy Yermak, raided NABU and SAPO offices. As a result of the raid, a high-ranking official was detained on suspicion of collaborating with Russia. Last Tuesday, the Ukrainian parliament passed the bill placing NABU and SAPO under the authority of the Prosecutor General. Zelenskyy had signed the bill into law, granting the Prosecutor General's Office the authority to intervene in the activities of NABU and SAPO.

The passage of the controversial anti-corruption law had triggered the largest protests across Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale military operation in February 2022. Protesters, who argued that the law would severely weaken the authority and effectiveness of NABU and SAPO, took to the streets across Ukraine to call for a veto of the law. This move, which was described by protesters as a blow to the independence of the country's anti-corruption institutions, also faced serious criticism from Kyiv's Western partners.

NABU and SAPO were established in 2014-2015 as one of the conditions for visa liberalization by the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

News Source: İHA