President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 22 signed into law a bill that effectively destroys the independence of Ukraine’s two key anti-corruption institutions, according to opposition lawmakers and watchdogs.
Earlier in the day, the Ukrainian parliament (Verkhovna Rada) approved amendments that grant the prosecutor general new powers over investigations led by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and cases led by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).
Among other new powers, the prosecutor general could also close NABU’s investigations at the legal defense’s request.
The protests were still underway when Zelensky signed the bill.
It all depends on whether or not SAPO really has been corrupted by Russian influence. If so, a little oversight might be a good thing. If not, then this was a very shady move.
Yeah, the shadiness is what I immediately jumped to. The move suggested to me that Zelensky and his buddy were trying to hold onto power for the long term but the useful context I’m getting here suggests that it’s just as likely that it’s a necessary move. Time will tell hopefully.