Ukraine: Anti-Corruption Agency Targeted with Raids and Arrests

A wave of investigations and arrests has begun in Ukraine, targeting the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU). Security services (SBU) arrested NABU officials on charges of espionage and ties to Russia.

The SBU announced the arrest of a NABU official as a suspected Russian spy, while other officials allegedly had commercial ties with Russia or connections to a banned party.

NABU, which has previously exposed corruption cases involving senior government officials, alleges that these actions constitute deliberate persecution. According to NABU, more than 70 investigations have been conducted without a court order, affecting many of its employees.

Vitaliy Shabunin, an anti-corruption activist, claimed that these are targeted prosecutions by the presidential office. Transparency International highlighted the pressure exerted on anti-corruption services.

The SBU defends its actions, claiming it identified a spy cooperating with the Russian intelligence service.