Threat to Democracy: Consequences of Rolling Back Anti-Corruption Institutions in Ukraine
Amid the large-scale war engulfing Ukraine, the country faces challenges beyond external aggression — internal threats that can undermine its foundations of statehood. One of the most dangerous developments is an attempt to weaken the institutions responsible for fighting corruption. For the first time in recent years, a legal push is underway that questions the independence of key anti-corruption agencies like NABU and SAP, which were established to combat high-level corruption and serve as beacons of transparency and accountability. The new bill, rapidly adopted and signed by the President, proposes changes to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. Its core aim is to dismantle or significantly weaken mechanisms for independent investigations and oversight over top officials, including high-ranking politicians, ministers, and even the President himself. As a result, the ability to conduct independent investigations into corruption at the highest levels diminishes — a crucial setback for democratic standards and a cause for grave concern amid wartime. Another problematic aspect is the procedural restriction on notifying suspects of suspicion. The new law stipulates that only the Prosecutor General can notify high officials, parliament members, the Prime Minister, and other top officials — a move that effectively places these actions under the sole control of the Prosecutor General, dependent on the President, thus undermining the independence of anti-corruption efforts. The mechanism for approving deals related to corruption crimes, especially serious offenses, has also been shifted under the Prosecutor General's authority, potentially bypassing the independent agencies and allowing even the head prosecutor to approve agreements without scrutiny from SAP and NABU. This move risks exonerating or shielding corrupt officials at the highest levels. Financial oversight and control over state budgets are also at stake. In a country at war, effective resource management is critical. Diminishing the independence of anti-corruption bodies threatens to leave public funds and national assets unprotected, opening avenues for state and local budget abuse and embezzlement. The effort to weaken NABU and SAP is a direct attack on the mechanisms that have been instrumental in exposing and prosecuting top corruption cases. Without these tools, the foundation of transparent governance is at risk. Another alarming trend is the politicization of accusations related to connections with Russia or occupied territories, which often serve as tools for political repression. Such practices erode the idea of reintegration and create a landscape where suspicion and stigmatization replace trust and national unity. According to Ukrainian constitutional principles, no one should usurp state power. Attempts by authorities to limit oversight over themselves constitute a form of this very usurpation. Limiting the powers of NABU and SAP deprives citizens of essential mechanisms for defending their rights and public resources. In summary, this legislative initiative threatens to dismantle an anti-corruption framework built over years with support from domestic and international experts, human rights advocates, and civil society. It comes at a time when Ukrainian society is focused on war, and citizens have paid a high price for democracy, transparency, and the rule of law. Allowing such reforms to proceed risks returning to an era of unchecked authority and powerless citizens. It is crucial to oppose this move to safeguard Ukraine’s future as a free, fair, and democratic nation.