President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law on the features of pre-trial investigation of criminal offenses related to the disappearance of missing persons under special circumstances under martial law, which reduces the powers and effectively deprives the independence of the NABU and the SAPO.

This is reported by Ukrinform with a link to the map of the law on the parliamentary website.

According to the law, the Prosecutor General has the right to request in writing the head of the pre-trial investigation body to provide case materials. Such a request is mandatory and must include a deadline and method for its implementation.

After reviewing the materials of the proceedings, the Prosecutor General may instruct another prosecutor to verify whether the laws are being followed during the pre-trial investigation.

If the investigation is conducted ineffectively or there are objective reasons why the investigative body cannot work, the Prosecutor General may transfer the case to another body. In the same cases, the Prosecutor General may transfer the investigation to or from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine.

In turn, the Director of NABU will be able to request cases from other bodies only with the approval of the Prosecutor General.

The Prosecutor General is granted the right to close the investigation at the request of the defense.

He can also independently resolve disputes about subordination, and also signs suspicions against top officials.

At the same time, it is regulated that the Prosecutor General will approve all plea agreements concluded in NABU cases.

It is stipulated that only the Prosecutor General will be able to sign suspicions in NABU cases.

In turn, the head of the SAPO is deprived of the opportunity to resolve disputes about subordination to the NABU and loses the right to join the group of prosecutors.

It is also allowed to appoint prosecutors without a competition for the period of martial law, as well as to promote acting prosecutors without a competition. It is possible to dismiss prosecutors in connection with a change in staffing regulations or the liquidation of a unit.

As Ukrinform reported, the Verkhovna Rada today, July 22, adopted a law on reducing the powers of the NABU and the SAPO.

In particular, we are talking about draft law No. 12414"On Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine regarding the features of pre-trial investigation of criminal offenses related to the disappearance of missing persons under special circumstances during martial law", to which a number of amendments have been made.

After the law was adopted, NABU Director Semen Kryvonos urged the President not to sign it, as now two independent institutions - NABU and SAPO - are actually being completely transferred to a dependent regime.

Protests have begun in the capital and other cities. Activists are opposing the law passed by parliament on reducing the powers of anti-corruption agencies - NABU and SAPO, and are demanding a veto by the President.