Planned NABU Audit Highlights Political Pressure on Anti-Corruption Bureau in Ukraine

In mid-March, Ukraine’s government planned an NABU audit. Experts’ recommendations are ongoing, but authorities appear focused on controlling the bureau rather than improving its effectiveness.

We warned that attacks on the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine would continue and, unfortunately, we were right. This was reported by the Anti-Corruption Action Center.

Ukrainska Pravda writes that in mid-March the government planned to initiate an audit of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine. Importantly, a negative audit conclusion is grounds for dismissing the director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine.

But if you think that ministers are concerned about the bureau’s effectiveness or the fulfillment of Ukraine’s obligations in this way, of course they are not.

Ukrainska Pravda writes that such initiatives can be seen as an attempt by Zelenskyy’s Cabinet to show MPs that their biggest fear is being “dealt with.”

In other words, throughout Zelenskyy’s entire power vertical, they believe the problem is not MPs who take bribes, but those who expose MPs taking bribes.

Interestingly, an audit of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine took place just last year. Experts provided recommendations for improving its work, and these are being implemented. But, as you understand, the authorities do not need the audit itself — they need the opportunity to rein in the bureau.

The draft resolution on auditing the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine was not considered, but we are confident that attempts to attack the bureau will continue.

Here is Ukrainska Pravda’s news about the audit.