The draft law that should restore the independence of anti-corruption agencies in Ukraine stipulates that employees with relatives in Russia will undergo a polygraph test once every two years, said Volodymyr Zelensky.
The measure is included in the draft law that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted to the Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, on Thursday, as reported by Meduza.
Zelensky did not provide details on the conditions under which the polygraph tests will be conducted.
The purpose of the draft law is to restore the independence of Ukraine's two anti-corruption institutions - the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). On Tuesday, the Verkhovna Rada approved, and Zelensky signed, the law subordinating NABU and SAPO to the Prosecutor General, significantly reducing their independence.
Facing intense protests, Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday that he had approved the text of a new draft law aimed at strengthening the independence of anti-corruption institutions and protecting the justice system from Russian influences.
The Anti-Corruption Action Center (AntAC) in Ukraine, a watchdog organization, supported the president's initiative, stating that it will "restore the principles previously dismantled by the Verkhovna Rada," as reported by The Kyiv Independent.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) announced on Thursday that it had participated in drafting the bill submitted to the Verkhovna Rada by President Volodymyr Zelensky. The agency mentioned that the draft law will restore all powers and guarantees of independence for NABU and SAPO, according to Ukrainska Pravda.
When asked by journalists why he did not subject the initial law on anti-corruption bodies to public debate before signing it, Zelensky admitted the need for dialogue. "There probably should have been a dialogue. Communication is always necessary," he said, adding that he is focused on the war because, at this moment, it is "the number one issue in Ukraine, the main enemy is Russia."
"It is very important for society to speak. I respect society's opinion," Zelensky said. "People have the right to say what they think. People have said - everything must be according to the law. For me, it was very important to listen and respond appropriately. People demanded changes. We responded," he added.
Zelensky stated that he "does not want to risk anything" regarding Ukraine's European path and assured international partners that he will find a way out of the situation caused by the adoption of the controversial law. "We are part of the same infrastructure as Europe and want to be part of Europe. No one wants to risk anything (...) Regarding NABU and SAPO, I told them that I will find a solution. I will present my vision based on what is needed in the field of anti-corruption and what society wants," the Ukrainian president specified.
T.D.