MPs Are Preparing a New Attack on NABU and SAP — Investigators

Investigative journalists of the project “Slidstvo.Info” warn that at the end of August, a member of parliament from Batkivshchyna, Serhiy Vlasenko, registered bill No. 15568 to establish a new temporary investigative commission, which, if the proposal garners the necessary number of votes from lawmakers, would restore the work of the controversial Vlasenko-Buzhansky TSC. It previously gained notoriety for its struggle with anti-corruption activists. In a explanatory note, Vlasenko confirmed that the new commission would continue to “investigate” corruption risks in the anti-corruption infrastructure.

The journalists reminded that in the report of the previous TSC, evidence of “systemic corruption risks” in anti-corruption infrastructure included a “frivolous style of communication,” participation of officials in events abroad, and the absence of their leaders at commission meetings. In total there were two reports, none of them were approved.

The investigators also drew attention to the fact that five of the eight members of the updated TSC are deputies from the Servant of the People party:

Maksym Buhanský (Maksym Buhanskyy);

Oleksandr Tkachenko;

Halyna Trytiakova;

Maksym Dyrydin;

Maksym Pavliuk.

“Such political backing makes the initiative truly feasible, — the material says. — There are suspicions that the “green light” for another attack on the anti-corruption infrastructure was given from the Presidential Administration.”

They also note that the vague wording in the mandate of the renewed-old TSC could become a tool for attacking anyone who highlights top-level corruption, i.e., not only against NABU, SAP, and VAKS, but also against employees of related civil society organizations and media.

In NABU and SAP, they have repeatedly stated that they expect renewed pressure, and the attempt to revive the scandalous Vlasenko-Buzhansky TSC could be a first step in this direction. However, the bureau’s director Semen Kryvonos noted that 2025-y was successful for actioru, as the institutions proved their effectiveness and, thanks to Ukrainians, protected their independence. He added that Ukraine needs systemic reforms to strengthen such structures. // Zerkalo tyghnya