International News
Thousands Protest In Kyiv Against Law Curbing Anti-Graft Agencies
Several thousand people rallied in central Kyiv on Wednesday in an unprecedented protest against a law signed off by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that removes the independence of two key anti-corruption bodies.
The mostly young marchers urged Zelensky to veto the legislation in the biggest protest in Kyiv since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The bill passed on Tuesday is the latest in a series of moves criticised by Ukrainian anti-corruption activists. They warn that growing government pressure threatens Ukraine’s reforms and ambition to join the European Union.
Zelensky has rejected the criticism, saying the law was needed to root out alleged Russian influence in anti-corruption institutions — a charge denied by activists.
“We all share a common enemy: the Russian occupiers,” Zelensky said after meeting with top law enforcement and anti-corruption officials on Wednesday.
“And defending the Ukrainian state requires a strong enough law enforcement system — one that ensures a real sense of justice,” he added.
In a statement on social media, he said he would propose a new bill that would “ensure the norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions”.
The law places the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) under the direct authority of the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the president.
After meeting with Zelensky, the NABU and SAPO repeated their criticism of the changes and said “unambiguous legislative steps are required to reinstate the guarantees revoked by parliament”.
‘Gift to Putin’
Some fear that a political crisis over the legislation could work in Russia’s favour by undermining unity within the country.
“This is a gift to Putin,” Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the Centre for Civil Liberties, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, said of the law.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was “a lot of corruption”, answering a question about the protests in Kyiv.
Zelensky signed the law on Tuesday as protesters gathered in front of the Ivan Franko theatre, where they projected a message reading “Veto the Law”.
The news of its approval was met with anger from protesters, who vowed to gather again on Wednesday at 8:00 pm local time (1700 GMT).
“Of course, everyone has heard what people are saying these days, what people are saying on social networks, to each other, on the streets. All this is not in vain.” Zelensky said on social media.
The government insists the law will make the anti-corruption agencies function better. Its critics say it consolidates power in Zelensky’s hands and will allow government meddling in high-profile graft cases.
EU ‘step back’
Kyiv’s partners reacted with alarm, worrying the move would undermine anti-corruption reforms key to Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union.
European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen has demanded “explanations” from Zelensky over the change, the EU said Wednesday.
“President von der Leyen conveyed her strong concerns about the consequences of the amendments,” said a spokesman.
“The dismantling of key safeguards protecting NABU’s independence is a serious step back,” EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said.
The NABU began work in 2015, as Kyiv sought to bring the country closer to Europe after a 2014 pro-European revolution.
Since its inception, the agency has uncovered widespread graft, including among figures in Zelensky’s administration.
READ ALSO: Ukraine Proposes Fresh Peace Talks With Russia Next Week
On Monday, law enforcement conducted large-scale raids at NABU, detaining one employee on suspicion of spying for Russia.
Transparency International’s Ukraine office called the raids an “attempt by the authorities to undermine the independence of Ukraine’s post-Revolution of Dignity anti-corruption institutions”.
The raids followed proceedings against one of the country’s top activists, Vitaliy Shabunin, who was brought to court for alleged fraud and draft-dodging.
Some of Shabunin’s allies have denounced the case as politically motivated retribution for an investigation into the president’s inner circle, including former minister Oleksiy Chernyshov.
It also comes as the government rejected the appointment of the head of the Bureau of Economic Security, citing alleged connections with Russia.
That decision was also heavily criticised by Ukrainian civil society.
Jeremy Doku insisted Manchester “will keep on fighting” in the Premier League title race despite their “painful” draw with Everton on Monday.
City drew 3-3 with the Toffees at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Doku scoring a 97th-minute equaliser, having also scored the opening goal.
Doku’s equaliser (96:49) is City’s third-latest goal on record (since 2006-07) in a Premier League game after John Stones’ strike against Arsenal in September 2024 (97:14) and Gabriel Jesus’ goal against Everton in February 2019 (96:52).
Doku has had a hand in six goals across his last five games for City in all competitions (four goals, two assists), as many as in his previous 22 games combined (one goal, five assists).
The Belgian also created the most chances in the match against Everton (four), completed the most dribbles (5/7) and won the most duels (14/19).
City avoided defeat in a Premier League game despite trailing by 2+ goals as late as the 82nd minute for the first time since March 2012 against Sunderland (3-3).
They went on to win the league title in 2011-12, and Doku believes City can still beat Arsenal to the trophy this season.
“First half, we played well and created a lot of chances. We know if we don’t score those chances, it is going to get difficult at the end,” said Doku.
“Obviously, they are at their own stadium, they create chances, and they are dangerous, and they scored two goals, but I think we gave them the game.
“Good that we came back because one point is not bad in games like this.
“We will see. It feels painful now. There is still a lot of games to go. We lost two points, but we know that one point can be important at the end.
“We will keep on fighting. We owe it to ourselves and to our fans.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigerians interested in repatriation from South Africa will be responsible for the cost of their return trip to Nigeria.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, stated this during a press briefing on Monday in Abuja.
The briefing came shortly after a closed-door meeting between the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dunoma Ahmed, and the South African Acting High Commissioner, Lesoli Machele.
Mr Ebienfa said the process will be self-funded and not state-funded, as it is a voluntary decision that the Nigerian government will only facilitate and coordinate.
In the recent past, such reparations have been sponsored by Nigerian airline owners, particularly Allen Onyema, the CEO of Air Peace.
The Nigerian government, on Sunday, indicated its readiness to repatriate its citizens from South Africa due to xenophobic violence.
The effort primarily targets Nigerians who feel threatened by the xenophobic violence and tension in parts of South Africa, as the protests against black immigrants in the country continue. Two Nigerians were killed last month.
Since the announcement, about 130 Nigerians in South Africa have expressed a willingness to return home voluntarily.
Mr Ebienfa stated that the return of the Nigerians depends on their financial capacity, as they would be expected to fund their trip back home individually.
He said, “Those willing to leave are expected to approach the high commission and, given that their decision is voluntary, have the resources to fund their return to Nigeria.”
The government will not “provide an aircraft from Nigeria to convey them.”
He also noted that the speed of the repatriation process will be determined by the availability of funds.
“Yes, 130 as of this morning have registered, but actualisation would be required to have their flight ticket to move back to Nigeria.”
Mr Ebienfa also explained that Nigerians who have so far expressed interest are motivated either by concerns about threats to their lives or by fear of arrest by South African law enforcement agencies.
“There are two groups of Nigerians who want to come back. One group feels the country is not safe for them and wants to come. They have all their papers intact.
“Then there is also the second group that has travel document violations or resident permit violations. And instead of running away from law enforcement, they are appealing that the government facilitate their movement back to Nigeria,” he explained.
However, he noted that the process is still being worked out and that the government would step in to provide aircraft or other needed assistance if tensions rise and the situation becomes more volatile.
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