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France 24
an hour ago
- France 24
'A free Ukraine': Kyiv protests law threatening anti-corruption bodies
The legislation, removing the independence of two key anti-corruption bodies, sparked the first major protests in Ukraine since it began fighting off the Russian invasion over three years ago. "Our struggle takes place on two fronts. Our main enemy is external, but we have an internal battle too," said protester Viacheslav Bykov. "We don't want Ukraine to be part of Russia, we don't want a corrupt or authoritarian Ukraine. We want a free Ukraine," he added. Several thousand demonstrators -- mostly young -- gathered outside a theatre in Kyiv, calling for a veto to the law passed by Ukraine's parliament on Tuesday. The law places the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under the direct authority of the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the president. Critics say the legislation would facilitate presidential interference in corruption probes and threatens the independence of key institutions in Ukraine. 'Ukraine is Europe' Zelensky responded to the backlash on Wednesday evening, saying he would submit a new bill ensuring "all norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place". Kyiv's partners had reacted with alarm, including European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen, who the EU said demanded explanations from Zelensky over the change. Civil society groups warn the bill is part of a broader pattern of pressure on anti-corruption activists and bodies. Some European allies worry the moves will undermine anti-corruption reforms key to Ukraine's bid to join the European Union -- a fear shared by many protesting on Wednesday. "We've worked for years to move closer to Europe... only to be thrown back 10 years in a single day," said protester Anya Kutsevol. Ukraine's two anti-corruption bodies, NABU and SAPO, were born a decade ago in the wake of the 2014 Maidan revolution. Those pro-European protests, centred on Kyiv's main square, also called Maidan, ousted a Kremlin-backed leader who scrapped a key partnership agreement with the EU. The Kremlin, which refused to accept Ukraine's democratic turn toward Europe, then launched a first assault over Ukraine that led Moscow-backed separatists to occupy Crimea and parts of the eastern Donbas region. "Ukraine is Europe," Kutsevol said, "we won't be returned to Russia. We'll keep fighting for Europe." 'Our turn' Some fear that a political crisis over the legislation could work in Russia's favour by undermining unity within the country, which is struggling to hold the front. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov seized on the opportunity to say there was "a lot of corruption" in Ukraine. "If I were Russia, I would do the same," said another protester, Yevgen Popovychenko, convinced Moscow would try to exploit the protests. He was holding a banner that read: "Don't take me back" to the years of Maidan, where he took to the streets as a 21-year-old. As he stood in the crowd, he said he was having flashbacks from Maidan, a feeling shared by his friends. But many other protestors were only children during the famed 2014 demonstrations -- including 25-year-old Kutsevol. "When tyres were still burning, I was 14. What good was I?" she said. Wednesday's was her first political protest, and she teared up looking at people gathered around her for the second day in a row, despite martial law banning large gatherings. She vowed to keep defending Ukraine's democracy. © 2025 AFP
France 24
10 hours ago
- France 24
Zelensky defends law curbing anti-graft agencies' independence
The bill passed on Tuesday is the latest in a series of moves criticised by Ukrainian anti-corruption activists. They warn that growing government pressure threatens Ukraine's reforms and ambition to join the European Union. Zelensky has rejected the criticism, saying the law was needed to root out alleged Russian influence in anti-corruption institutions -- a charge denied by activists. "We all share a common enemy: the Russian occupiers," Zelensky said after meeting with top law enforcement and anti-corruption officials. "And defending the Ukrainian state requires a strong enough law enforcement system -- one that ensures a real sense of justice," he added. The law places the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under the direct authority of the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the president. After meeting with Zelensky, NABU and SAPO repeated their criticism of the changes and said "unambiguous legislative steps are required to reinstate the guarantees revoked by parliament". Prosecutor general Ruslan Kravchenko told journalists he maintained his independence. "Society, law enforcement agencies and parliament can only judge me by my actions in the future," he told journalists. "I can sign my name in blood if it helps." 'Gift to Putin' The adoption of the law by Parliament on Tuesday sparked demonstrations in Kyiv, the first major protest in the Ukrainian capital since Russian troops invaded in 2022. More than 1,000 took part despite martial law banning large gatherings. Some fear that a political crisis over the legislation could work in Russia's favour by undermining unity in the country. "This is a gift to Putin," Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the Centre for Civil Liberties that was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, said of the law. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was "a lot of corruption", answering a question about the protests in Kyiv. Zelensky signed the law on Tuesday as protesters were massed in front of the Ivan Franko theatre, where they projected a message reading "Veto the Law". The news was met with anger from protesters, who vowed to gather again on Wednesday at 8:00 pm local time (1700 GMT). "We all hear what society is saying," Zelensky said on Wednesday, promising to "resolve existing issues". While the government says the law will make the anti-corruption agencies function better, its critics say it consolidates power in Zelensky's hands and allow government meddling in high-profile graft cases. EU 'step back' Kyiv's partners reacted with alarm, worrying the move would undermine anti-corruption reforms key to Ukraine's bid to join the European Union. European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen has demanded "explanations" from Zelensky over the change, the EU said Wednesday. "President von der Leyen conveyed her strong concerns about the consequences of the amendments," said a spokesman. "The dismantling of key safeguards protecting NABU's independence is a serious step back," EU Enlargment Commissioner Marta Kos said. NABU began work in 2015, as Kyiv sought to bring the country closer to Europe after a 2014 pro-European revolution. Since its inception, the agency has uncovered widespread graft, including among figures in Zelensky's administration. On Monday, law enforcement conducted large-scale raids at NABU, detaining one employee on suspicion of spying for Russia. Transparency International's Ukraine office called the raids an "attempt by the authorities to undermine the independence of Ukraine's post-Revolution of Dignity anti-corruption institutions." Transparency International ranked Ukraine 105th out of 180 countries in its "corruption perceptions index" in 2024, up from 144 in 2013. Higher numbers indicate higher levels of corruption on its index. The raids followed proceedings against one the country's top activists, Vitaliy Shabunin, who was brought to court for alleged fraud and draft-dodging. Some of Shabunin's allies have denounced the case as politically motivated retribution for an investigation into the President's inner circle, including former minister Oleksiy Chernyshov. It also comes as the government rejected the appointment of the head of the Bureau of Economic Security, citing alleged connections with Russia, a decision heavily criticised by Ukrainian civil society.
France 24
13 hours ago
- France 24
Zelensky faces major protests after signing bill targeting anti-graft bodies
Ukrainian activists called for more protests against a law they say weakens the country's anti-corruption bodies. The legislation has also drawn rebukes from European Union officials and international rights groups. Thousands of people gathered in the capital and other cities across Ukraine on Tuesday evening to urge President Volodymyr Zelensky to veto a controversial bill passed by Ukraine's Parliament earlier that day. After Zelenskyy approved it, activists called on social media for another demonstration in the center of Kyiv at 8 p.m. Wednesday. The legislation tightens government oversight of two key anti-corruption agencies. Critics say the step could significantly weaken the independence of those agencies and grant Zelensky's circle greater influence over investigations. Fighting entrenched corruption is crucial for Ukraine's aspirations to join the EU and maintain access to billions of dollars in Western aid in its fight against Russia 's three-year invasion. Instead of vetoing the bill as protestors demanded, Zelensky signed it into law and argued for it, in a move that risked his public support after more than three years of war with Russia. Zelensky said the measure clears out 'Russian influence' from the fight against corruption and ensures punishment for those found guilty of it, after what he said were yearslong delays in criminal proceedings involving huge amounts of money. 'This is what Ukraine really needs,' Zelensky said in a Telegram post after midnight Wednesday. 'The cases that have been lying dormant must be investigated.' 'For years, officials who have fled Ukraine have been casually living abroad for some reason – in very nice countries and without legal consequences – and this is not normal,' he said. He didn't provide examples of what he said was Russian interference. Russian officials relished Zelensky's difficulties. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova mocked Zelensky's claim of Russian infiltration into the anti-corruption agency, noting sarcastically that 'they might just as well pull a couple of bears out of the corner.' Zelensky has been the international face of Ukraine's determination to defeat Russia's all-out invasion, and his domestic troubles are an unwelcome diversion from the war effort. Delegations from Russia and Ukraine were set to meet in Istanbul on Wednesday for their third round of direct talks in two months, although the Kremlin didn't confirm the date or venue and its spokesman warned against expecting 'any magical breakthroughs' in the meeting. The changes would grant the prosecutor general new authority over investigations and cases handled by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). In a post on X, the EU's Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos expressed concern over the vote in the Ukrainian Parliament, called the Rada, calling it 'a serious step back.' The Ukrainian branch of Transparency International criticized Parliament's decision, saying it undermines one of the most significant reforms since what Ukraine calls its Revolution of Dignity in 2014, and damages trust with international partners. It accused authorities of 'dismantling' the country's anti-corruption architecture. The mood of anger and frustration among the war-weary Ukrainians prevailed in the crowd Tuesday. Some protesters accused Ukraine's leadership of prioritizing loyalty and personal connections over the fight against corruption. 'Those who swore to protect the laws and the Constitution have instead chosen to shield their inner circle, even at the expense of Ukrainian democracy,' said veteran Oleh Symoroz, sitting in a wheelchair because both his legs were amputated after he was wounded in 2022.
