Mass Protest in Kyiv Against Undermining Anti-Corruption Agencies and Government Overreach
In the very heart of Ukraine's capital, near the Franko Theatre and close to the Presidential Administration on Bankova Street, a large-scale demonstration took place, uniting citizens who oppose the recent legislative changes passed by the Verkhovna Rada that threaten the independence of key anti-corruption bodies.
Several hundred activists and veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war gathered on the square, holding placards and chanting slogans such as 'Veto the law' and 'Ukraine is not Russia.' They emphasized the importance of preserving democratic principles and maintaining the independence of institutions like the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO).
The protests continued into the evening, with similar rallies organized in Lviv, Odesa, and Dnipro, where hundreds more citizens voiced their discontent.
The law, numbered 12414, which was approved by the Verkhovna Rada, effectively strips these agencies of their independence, risking the collapse of Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts.
The legislation envisions transforming these institutions into tools under the control of the Prosecutor General, thus jeopardizing their ability to conduct independent investigations.
Critics argue that this move centralizes power in the hands of the Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko, who would gain full access to the materials of any criminal proceeding, undermining the system's integrity.
Civic activists, legal experts, and watchdog organizations have expressed deep concern over these developments, highlighting the threat to judicial independence and the rule of law.
The public outcry reflects a widespread demand to safeguard democratic institutions and resist authoritarian tendencies in Ukrainian governance, especially amid ongoing conflicts and efforts to maintain transparency and accountability.