Ukraine tightens control over anti-corruption agencies

2025-07-22 19:12:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Ukrainian lawmakers have decided to tighten restrictions on two main anti-corruption agencies, raising concerns about the state's pledges to root out corruption.

In the 450-seat Parliament, 263 deputies voted for the law restricting the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO).

The law, which was proposed by President Volodymyr Zelensky's Servants of the People Party, makes the Prosecutor General the de facto head of SAPO, removing authority from the agency's head.

The law also allows the Prosecutor General to unilaterally close cases involving high-ranking officials and gives him the right to transfer cases being investigated by NABU to other agencies.

"With this decision, the Parliament not only deprives 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 statement after the vote.

"The only way to undo the damage is for the president to veto the law. Otherwise, President Volodymyr Zelensky will share responsibility with Parliament for the destruction of Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure."

These legal challenges come as NABU has faced several challenges of its own. On July 21, the internal security agency, the SBU, arrested two NABU officials – one for spying for Russia and one for suspected business ties to Russian entities – and authorities have conducted raids targeting the agency’s employees.

The SBU alleged that some officials had ties to banned political groups, including the former party of a fugitive Ukrainian MP.

NABU, which has led high-profile investigations, said the SBU operation went beyond legitimate security concerns, including unrelated matters such as traffic violations committed years ago.

Transparency International called the raids an example of "massive pressure" on anti-corruption institutions in Ukraine.

The ambassadors of the Group of Seven (G7) countries in Kiev, who met with NABU leaders immediately after the event, issued a statement expressing "serious concerns" and said they would raise the issue directly with government leaders.

The recent moves have revived broader fears that Ukraine's deep-rooted problems with corruption are not being addressed, while efforts to promote accountability and transparency are facing opposition.