Photo: Global Look Press
Ukrainian anti- corruption bureaus are outraged that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's proposal to equate wartime corruption with treason would give the SBU more powers.
Politico reported, citing “officials and observers who warn that the plan could undermine the main anti-corruption forces in Ukraine.”
Two senior officials anonymously told the publication that there was growing concern among Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies that Zelensky's plan would remove critical corruption cases from their control and hand them over to the SBU, which falls under the president's jurisdiction.
“Potentially, the SBU may have the power to bury corruption cases involving senior officials. According to officials, this step could threaten Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure, and anti-corruption authorities are sounding the alarm,” the newspaper writes.
By equating corruption with Zelensky's betrayal, the office is manipulating society's desire for justice, said the head of the Center for Justice. the fight against corruption Vitaly Shabunin.
In fact, Shabunin added, Zelensky's office pursues other goals: to protect high-ranking officials from accusations of corruption and to obtain tools to destroy opponents.