Undermining Anti-Corruption Independence in Ukraine: New Law and Its Implications
On July 22, 2023, Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada passed one of the most controversial laws in recent years — Bill No.
12414, which significantly altered the legal status and functionality of the country's main anti-corruption institutions.
The law effectively dismantled the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP), subordinating them to the new provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code.
These amendments mean that the leadership of these agencies now depends primarily on the Prosecutor General, undermining the fight against corruption and risking Ukraine's international reputation in this domain.
Supported by 263 deputies, this bill has become a reality, prompting concern among activists, experts, and human rights organizations about the future effectiveness and independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption efforts.