Ukraine Parliament Reinstates Anti-Corruption Watchdogs' Independence

Ukraine's Parliament passed a bill restoring two anti-corruption agencies' independence, reversing President Zelenskyy's previous decision to subordinate them to the prosecutor general. The move had sparked protests from Ukrainian citizens, the EU, and international rights groups over concerns of government interference in investigations.

In a decisive move, Ukraine's Parliament has passed a bill that reinstates the independence of two key anti-corruption watchdogs. This comes after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faced widespread criticism for his previous actions that limited their autonomy.

The legislative body, known as the Verkhovna Rada, overwhelmingly supported Zelenskyy's latest proposal with 331 votes in favor and just nine abstentions, according to official reports. The reinstatement aims to assure both the Ukrainian public and international observers of the integrity of anti-corruption efforts.

Zelenskyy's initial measure to place these watchdogs under the prosecutor general's oversight led to fears of potential governmental interference in ongoing investigations. The outcry from citizens, the European Union, and global rights groups underscored the importance of independent corruption monitoring in safeguarding democracy and accountability in Ukraine.

(With inputs from agencies.)