Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office
The High Anti-Corruption Court extended the arrest of MP Viktor Bondar until September 26, reducing bail from UAH 60. 5 million to UAH 36.3 million. He is suspected of embezzling over UAH 140 million during cable procurement for Ukrzaliznytsia.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted as a basis and in general the presidential bill No. 13533 regarding NABU and SAP. This step restores the powers of anti-corruption bodies after previous changes.
People's Deputy Dmytro Kostiuk announced his withdrawal from the "Servant of the People" faction due to the vote on NABU and SAP. He noted that they were forced to vote under threat.
Today, July 31, the Verkhovna Rada will convene for a session, where the first item on the agenda will be bill No. 13533 concerning NABU and SAPO. The Committee on Legal Policy recommended adopting it as a basis and in its entirety.
The Committee on Legal Policy recommended that the Verkhovna Rada adopt presidential bill No. 13533 regarding NABU and SAPO. The Prosecutor General's Office fully supports this bill.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk expects the adoption of the bill on NABU and SAPO. Also, on July 31, the Rada may consider amendments to the state budget-2025 for financing the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The main parliamentary committee on law enforcement will consider presidential bill No. 13533 regarding NABU and SAP on July 30. The committee on anti-corruption policy has already unanimously supported this document.
A number of public organizations and media demand the immediate resumption of online broadcasts of plenary sessions of the Verkhovna Rada, starting from the next one. This decision is of fundamental importance for anti-corruption reform and Ukraine's European integration.
The European Union is cutting part of its aid to Ukraine by 1. 5 billion euros due to decisions that de facto eliminate the independence of NABU and SAPO. Aid of 50 billion euros can be restored provided reforms are carried out and corruption is fought.
G7 ambassadors welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's commitment to quickly restore and ensure the independence of anti-corruption bodies. They expect the Verkhovna Rada to quickly adopt the law submitted by Zelenskyy, which is key for reforms and EU integration.
According to parliamentarians, the Verkhovna Rada will consider bill No. 13533 on strengthening the powers of NABU and SAPO next week. An extraordinary meeting may take place on July 29-31, likely with a vote immediately for the basis and in general.
President Zelenskyy's bill provides for mandatory polygraph testing for NABU employees who have access to state secrets. NABU states that the Internal Control Department, not the SBU, will conduct the test, which is common practice.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed government officials to present the bill on strengthening the powers of NABU and SAPO to all partners and to engage expert capabilities. The bill provides for the return of old norms, mandatory polygraph for employees with access to state secrets, and a ban on travel abroad for NABU employees.
President Zelenskyy has introduced a bill that reinstates old norms for NABU and SAPO, revokes some of the Prosecutor General's powers regarding these bodies, and introduces a mandatory polygraph for law enforcement officers. The document also provides for a ban on travel abroad for NABU employees during martial law.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted a draft law that restores the procedural powers and guarantees of independence of NABU and SAPO. NABU and SAPO called on the Verkhovna Rada to adopt this initiative as soon as possible to prevent threats to criminal proceedings.
Bill No. 13533 of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on strengthening the powers of NABU and SAPO will be considered by the parliament at the next plenary session. This document, in particular, amends the powers of NABU and SAPO, granting the Prosecutor General of Ukraine the right to give instructions and access to materials of pre-trial investigation.
An alternative bill on the activities of anti-corruption bodies in Ukraine has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada.
The document was signed by 48 deputies from various factions.
Representatives of law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies will hold a meeting at the Prosecutor General's Office next week. This decision was made after a meeting with the President, where ways to strengthen the work of institutions and eliminate duplication of functions were discussed.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to submit a bill to the Verkhovna Rada that will strengthen the law enforcement system and ensure the inevitability of punishment. This document will be a response to public demands and will take into account the proposals of law enforcement agency heads.
Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko explained that urgent searches are allowed only to preserve life, health, or in cases of treason, which is part of law No. 12414. This innovation is aimed at protecting businesses from abuses by law enforcement agencies.
Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko announced the readiness of law enforcement officers to maintain order during possible protests related to bill 12414. The HUR (Defence Intelligence of Ukraine) warned about Russia's attempts to use these protests to undermine Ukraine's stability.
Vice Prime Minister Taras Kachka assured Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate, of Ukraine's readiness for further legislative measures to comply with EU standards.
SAP and NABU have completed the investigation into the case of the head of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine, Pavlo Kyrylenko, and his wife. They are accused of illicit enrichment and false declaration, as well as complicity in illicit enrichment of over UAH 72 million.
David Arakhamia refutes claims of dismantling anti-corruption infrastructure, emphasizing that bill 12414 does not provide for the liquidation of NABU, SAP, or NACP. He stresses that the Verkhovna Rada team consistently strengthens anti-corruption institutions, providing them with more powers and resources.
The SAP prosecutor decided to complete the pre-trial investigation in the case against the former owner of PrivatBank, Ihor Kolomoisky, and five other bank employees, who are suspected of embezzling over UAH 9. 2 billion. NABU detectives have begun opening the case materials for review by the defense.
Prosecutor General Kravchenko does not consider NABU and SAPO dependent after legislative changes, emphasizing their independence. He promises not to abuse new powers obtained under law No. 12414.
There will be no mass withdrawal of cases, but ineffective proceedings will be transferred to other bodies.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the heads of law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies, including Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko, to discuss the work of the departments after the adoption of legislative changes. The participants agreed on a joint action plan to strengthen Ukraine and ensure justice.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held meetings with the heads of NABU, SAP, the Prosecutor General's Office, and the SBU, emphasizing the need to cleanse the anti-corruption infrastructure of Russian influence. He stressed the importance of inevitable punishment and the investigation of cases involving billions that have been "hanging" for years.