Ukraine's crackdown on anti-corruption institutions sparks EU concern
The European Union has voiced concern over Ukraine’s recent moves against the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), issuing a reminder that its financial backing hinges on progress in democratic governance.
Source: European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier, in a statement obtained by Ukrainska Pravda
Details: Mercier stated that the EU is "concerned about Ukraine's recent actions with regard to its anti-corruption institutions, NABU and SAPO".
Quote from Mercier: "These institutions are crucial to Ukraine's reform agenda and must operate independently to fight corruption and maintain public trust."
He emphasised that the EU pours substantial financial aid into Ukraine and that this is explicitly tied to progress in transparency, judicial reform and democratic governance.
Quote: "Ukraine's EU accession will require a strong capacity to combat corruption and to ensure institutional resilience. The EU will continue to monitor the situation and support Ukraine in upholding the rule of law."
Background:
- On 21 July, the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) and the Prosecutor General’s Office conducted around 80 searches targeting 19 NABU employees across various regions, reportedly without court warrants.
- The NABU detectives have been charged with treason, illegal trade with Russia, and corruption in the interests of oligarchs. Meanwhile, the State Bureau of Investigations has stepped up its efforts looking into materials on road accidents involving NABU employees that occurred several years ago.
- Representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Office of the Prosecutor General have also launched an inspection into SAPO’s handling of state secrets.
- It comes as the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) is set to debate a draft law that NABU and SAPO believe will effectively destroy the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions.
- The G7 ambassadors have expressed concern over the SSU’s actions against NABU.
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