Threat of Power Usurpation Through Law on the Dissolution of NABU and SAPO: Expert Warns of Consequences
A bill proposing the abolition of the independence of Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) has sparked widespread public and expert concern.
While its proponents claim that the initiative aims at reforming the law enforcement system, critics argue that it signals an alarming trend of power concentration and potential usurpation, as such decisions bypass crucial citizen oversight and violate fundamental constitutional principles.
Renowned lawyer and head of the criminal practice at AZONES Law Firm, Mykola Myagkov, emphasizes that attempts to restrict the independence of anti-corruption bodies are not only undemocratic but also reflect an escape from accountability.
"Any effort to centralize control is a clear indication of usurpation, which is prohibited by the Ukrainian Constitution, considering its provisions on the separation of powers and the state's duty to protect citizens' rights," Myagkov states.
He adds that the adoption of law No.12414 effectively dismantles the carefully constructed anti-corruption infrastructure developed over many years, aimed at preventing corruption, strengthening trust in public institutions, and safeguarding civil rights.
Most troubling is that this legislative move occurs amidst ongoing wartime challenges that already exhaust society.
"More than thirty deputies have been involved in NABU-related corruption cases, and the majority now support weakening anti-corruption agencies.
This unprecedented situation hampers Ukraine’s progress toward European standards of transparency and accountability.
Citizens have paid a high price for living in a democratic country— for transparency, proper control mechanisms, and the right to know the truth.
We cannot allow this rollback," Myagkov insists.
The Center for Counteracting Corruption previously warned that abolishing the independence of NABU and SAPO would give Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko unchecked control over them, risking further power consolidation.
An informed source from ZN.UA also shared that such measures would undoubtedly influence Ukraine’s annual progress assessment by the European Commission, scheduled for late October, potentially damaging the country's reputation on the international stage.