Rada restores independence of NABU/SAPO
The Verkhovna Rada has restored the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO).
A total of 331 MPs voted for relevant presidential bill No. 13533 on strengthening the effectiveness of the NABU and SAPO at the plenary session of the parliament on Thursday.
As reported, the bill establishes the procedural independence of the head and prosecutors of the SAPO from the Prosecutor General. Additionally, the bill stipulates that NABU detectives carry out instructions only from SAPO prosecutors and that, when carrying out operational and operational-technical activities, NABU detectives carry out instructions only from NABU detectives or SAPO prosecutors.
The bill restores the right of the SAPO prosecutor to refer criminal proceedings to NABU detectives, while removing this right from the Prosecutor General. NABU detectives are granted the authority to investigate criminal offenses referred to the jurisdiction of investigators from other agencies. This decision is made by the NABU director in consultation with the SAPO prosecutor. The Prosecutor General's approval is no longer required.
As reported, on July 22, the Verkhovna Rada limited the independence of the NABU and the SAPO by adopting Bill No. 12414. In particular, the amendments to the draft law empower the Prosecutor General to: be the de facto head of the SAPO and delegate the powers of the SAPO prosecutor to other prosecutors; provide NABU with mandatory written instructions and request materials from any cases; delegate requested cases to any prosecutors; delegate the investigation of cases that fall under the jurisdiction of the NABU to other bodies.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the law on the evening of July 22. A day later, on July 23, after protests and concerns from international partners, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he would propose to the Verkhovna Rada a bill that would ensure the strength of the law enforcement system and the absence of Russian interference in the activities of law enforcement agencies.
Since July 22, protests against the restriction of the independence of the NABU and the SAPO have been held daily in Kyiv and some other cities of Ukraine. Thus, at a rally in the capital near the Ivan Franko Theater on the first day, July 22, more than 5,800 participants were recorded, on the second day - more than 9,500 participants, and on the third day - more than 4,100 participants. Protests in Kyiv were also held on the following days, in particular on the eve of July 30.
On July 31, a rally in support of the return of the powers of the NABU and the SAPO is held in Mariyinsky Park, near the Verkhovna Rada building.