NABU, SAPO view Prosecutor General Kravchenko's actions as continuation of systemic attack on independent anti-corruption bodies

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) have denounced Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko's actions as part of a systemic campaign against independent anti-corruption bodies. Kravchenko's statement concerning the issuance of a suspicion notice for NABU Director Semen Kryvonos and a close associate of SAPO Head Oleksandr Klymenko is seen by NABU and SAPO as part of an ongoing attempt to subordinate these agencies to the Office of the Prosecutor General.

This pattern of abuse began last summer, when there were efforts to bring NABU and SAPO under the control of the Office of the Prosecutor General.

NABU and SAPO firmly state that they do not engage in any political struggles and operate strictly in accordance with the law. They are prepared to defend the independence of the anti-corruption system. Currently, no suspicion has been formally presented to NABU Director Semen Kryvonos, and there have been no criminal proceedings initiated by NABU as alleged in Kravchenko's statements. Any claims of NABU seizing criminal proceedings are incorrect, according to the NABU and SAPO statement.

The messages from NABU and SAPO suggest that the Prosecutor General's recent resignation may be more of a public than a procedural declaration. NABU and SAPO also emphasize that they have never provided or requested any immunity for their employees or any other individuals. They note that further details will be released in due course.