A new law in Ukraine has stripped the independence of anti-corruption watchdogs, igniting protests across the country. Thousands rallied despite martial law restrictions, expressing outrage over perceived governmental corruption. Polina Tymchenko criticized the law as a betrayal of frontline fighters. President Zelenskyy defended the law, citing inefficiencies and possible compromises within the agencies. The changes give new powers to the prosecutor general, raising concerns about corruption's impact on ongoing conflict negotiations with Russia. The anti-corruption agencies were established after Ukraine's 2014 pro-democracy Euromaidan protests.
"It's totally a betrayal of everyone who is on the front line, for everyone who is fighting for our liberty, for everyone who is fighting for Ukraine not being Russia," said Polina Tymchenko, a 29-year-old doctor.
Zelenskyy justified the move by saying corruption cases took too long to be investigated under the agencies and suggested they were compromised.
Zelenskyy stated, "Anti-corruption infrastructure will work without Russian influences," indicating his belief in a need for reform within the anti-corruption agencies.
The law gives Ukraine's prosecutor general, appointed by Zelenskyy, new powers over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office.
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