The authorities’ actions signal a desire to destroy the independence of anti-corruption bodies – Transparency International Ukraine

Transparency International Ukraine has stated that pressure on anti-corruption bodies in Ukraine and attempts by the authorities to interfere in their work are unacceptable.

This is stated in the organization’s statement.

They noted that on July 21, the SBU, the Office of the Prosecutor General and the State Bureau of Investigation conducted mass searches of NABU detectives and an inspection of the SAP without court orders. According to the organization, the main goal of such actions is an attempt to influence the activities of NABU and SAP.

TI Ukraine reported a number of violations:
– conducting about 70 searches without court orders,
– use of physical force against a NABU detective,
– violation of communication norms by law enforcement officers,
– unscheduled inspection of SAP without warning the management,
– suspicions of the State Bureau of Investigation in cases that may be a means of pressure.

The organization emphasized that such actions could destroy the independence of anti-corruption bodies, jeopardize the investigation of top corruption and undermine Ukraine’s achievements in the fight against corruption.

Transparency International called on President Volodymyr Zelensky to guarantee the independence of NABU and SAP, and also demanded that the SBU and the OGP stop illegal pressure on anti-corruption agencies.

Let us recall that the Security Service of Ukraine came to the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) this morning without official warning to check compliance with the legislation on state secrets.

Earlier, the SBU conducted searches at the homes of NABU detectives .