President Zelenskyy has voiced his support for the ongoing investigation into corruption within Ukraine’s energy sector, conducted by NABU and SAPO. He emphasized the importance of accountability and convictions to address corrupt schemes within the sector, specifically highlighting the significance of integrity within Energoatom, Ukraine’s largest power generator. While not naming specific individuals, Zelenskyy stressed the need for government officials to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to achieve tangible results.
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Following the controversial vote, President Zelenskyy swiftly enacted the new law. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has charged numerous current and former MPs with corruption, with a significant number still serving in parliament. Despite this, some prominent figures, such as Yulia Tymoshenko, defended the vote, alleging that NABU and SAP were tools of foreign influence. Tymoshenko argued the bill was not about corruption, but rather about preventing external control of Ukraine, echoing a narrative similar to Russia’s justification for its invasion.
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President Zelensky submitted a new draft law on July 24 aiming to restore the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions, following the controversial signing of a bill on July 22 that was widely criticized for undermining the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). The controversial law sparked large-scale protests, prompting the new initiative. The proposed law intends to protect the legal system from Russian influence, according to Zelensky. The Verkhovna Rada is expected to review the draft, with some suggesting it could be considered sooner than the end of August.
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President Zelensky has signed a bill that significantly undermines the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions, NABU and SAPO, granting the prosecutor general increased control over their investigations. This move, which followed parliament’s approval of the amendments, has sparked protests and strong criticism from watchdogs who fear the legislation will cripple these agencies. The law allows the prosecutor general to direct NABU investigations and reassign SAPO’s powers, potentially closing investigations at the defense’s request. International partners like the EU have expressed concerns, highlighting the importance of independent anti-corruption bodies for Ukraine’s reform agenda and its path toward EU accession.
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The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) alleges that Magamedrasulov aided his Russian father in illegal industrial hemp trade with Russia and is investigating his potential contact with Russian spies. The SBU is also examining whether Magamedrasulov shared confidential information about corruption investigations with Russian agents and his close contact with pro-Russian lawmaker Fedir Khrystenko, suspected of being a Russian spy. National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) reported searches targeting staff members, often citing traffic accidents as grounds, while also investigating possible ties to the aggressor state, though NABU believes this doesn’t warrant halting its operations.
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John Q. Hosedrinker