Kyiv Protesters Enter Third Day of Demonstrations Against Judicial Reform Affecting NABU and SAP: Large Gatherings Near Ivan Franko Theatre
In the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, the third day of protest actions continues amid mounting tensions over recent legislative changes impacting anti-corruption agencies.
On the evening of July 24, a significant number of citizens assembled near Ivan Franko Theatre to voice their dissatisfaction with the new law concerning NABU and SAP.
This was not the first day of mass protests; demonstrations have been ongoing since July 22 across various cities in Ukraine, and their scale is increasing.
The main demand from protesters is to veto the law, which they believe significantly weakens anti-corruption bodies by reducing their powers and placing them under the control of the General Prosecutor.
The background of this conflict is quite tense: on July 21, security services, including the SBU and OGP, carried out over 80 searches in 19 NABU employees across multiple regions.
The following day, the Verkhovna Rada approved Law No.
12414, featuring amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code, which effectively puts NABU and SAP under the influence of the Prosecutor General.
On the evening of July 22, Ukraine's President signed this legislation into law.
After its adoption, protests erupted in many cities, and on July 23, demonstrations persisted, reflecting widespread public dissatisfaction with the decision.