Ukrainian President Volodymyr Greenable on Wednesday evening announced that in response to public protests and criticism of the new law restricting the independence of the anti -corruption bodies, Parliament will submit a proposal for the new legislation to “ensure the power of the rule of law”.
Greeny, he said in his evening speeches and contributions on social networks, writes TASR according to reports of DPA and Ukrainian media.
Greeny was signed on Tuesday evening a law that significantly limits the independence of two key anti -corruption bodies in the country. Shortly before, the Supreme Council, a single -chamber Ukrainian parliament, approved the legislation, despite extensive criticism from NGOs and human rights groups.
Anti -Corruption Authorities under supervision
The law concerns the Ukrainian National Anti -Corruption Office (NABA), which reveals and investigates cases of possible corruption between state institutions, and the Specialized Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP), which subsequently prosecutes the suspects on the basis of its findings.
In accordance with the legislation, both under the supervision of the Attorney General, which is appointed by the President.
The Ukrainian president then pointed out on Wednesday evening that he perceived criticism of the new law, which is heard on protests in the streets and on social networks.
“We have analyzed all these concerns, all aspects of what needs to be changed and what needs to be intensified. I will present the Supreme Council of Ukraine a bill that will be a response (to these analyzes),” he said in response.
Steps against Russian influence
According to Ukrainian daily, Greeding, Pravda added that it will be a presidential bill and prevents “Russian influence or interference with the activities of these bodies”. At the same time, they will remain in force “all provisions on the independence of anti -corruption authorities”.
Rather, Greeding on Wednesday met the anti -corruption and security officials of the country and announced that within two weeks they will develop a “joint action plan against corruption”.
Tuesday’s approval of controversial legislation occurred the day after the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) detained two representatives of NABA suspects of spying and links to Russia and carried out dozens of inspections concerning other employees of NAB. Similar examinations were reportedly in SAP offices.
According to the Ukrainian authorities, the reason was suspicion of alleged cooperation with Russia, but according to DPA, it is probably due to such raid power struggle between Ukrainian security forces.
The reactions of Brussels and protests
The new law was criticized by the Ukrainian public and in the meantime Brussels.
The President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen asks the Greenland’s explanation of these legislative changes. She recalled that the EU is based on the principles of the rule of law and the fight against corruption and from Ukraine as a candidate country for membership in the Euroblock expected to fully respect these standards.
The legislation also evoked protests in several Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kiev, on Tuesday evening.
Other demonstrations in at least seven cities were also scheduled for Wednesday evening, when thousands of people went to the streets of Kiev.
