Judges in NABU detectives' cases remain under pressure

On August 10, NABU Director Semen Kryvonos and SAPO head Oleksandr Klymenko revealed that some departments within Ukraine's Security Service are exerting pressure on judges handling cases involving NABU detectives. Kryvonos specifically noted that NABU detectives, who are suspects or have had their property seized, are filing motions with Kyiv district courts and the appeals court.

The NABU director mentioned that they have documented instances of pressure on these judges, although neither the judges themselves nor law enforcement have reported this pressure or sought protection. Klymenko, in response, stated that there have been no ramifications or lessons learned from these events. He highlighted that a significant number of NABU detectives continue to face investigation in cases deemed unfounded by NABU and SAPO.

Kryvonos also brought attention to the case of NABU detective Ruslan Mahamedrasulov, who believes judges who acquitted a witness are under pressure. Moreover, Mahamedrasulov noted that nothing has changed for him, and he is currently reviewing the investigation materials. On July 21, 2025, NABU disclosed that 15 of its employees had been searched.

Kryvonos left for the United Kingdom but returned on July 22 after Ukraine's parliament passed bill No. 12414, which would have made NABU and SAPO reliant on the prosecutor general's decisions. The legislation was signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the same day. However, NABU and SAPO released a joint statement condemning the changes, arguing they would undermine their independence and impede NABU's work.

Protests ensued in various Ukrainian cities following the bill's passage. President Zelenskyy subsequently submitted a new bill aimed at reinstating the agencies' independence, which was passed in its final reading by parliament on July 31, 2025, and signed by Zelenskyy, coming into effect upon publication in the Holos Ukrainy newspaper.