protesters-call-zelenskyy-devil-over-corruption-law

Protesters in Kyiv chanted slogans branding Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky “the devil” on Tuesday, voicing anger over new legislation that curbs the independence of the country’s anti-corruption agencies.

 

The demonstrations erupted after Zelensky signed a bill into law giving the Prosecutor General’s Office new authority to intervene in the work of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).

 

The move came days after security services raided NABU offices and arrested a senior official on suspicion of spying for Russia. The new law has sparked concern among EU partners and drawn sharp rebukes from opposition figures.

 

Crowds gathered in central Kyiv, chanting “Zelya is the devil”, using a diminutive form of Zelensky’s surname in mockery. Protesters shouted “Shame” and “Treason” while waving signs demanding that the anti-corruption bodies retain their independence. Chants reportedly grew louder after word spread that Zelensky had ignored calls to veto the measure.

 

Similar protests broke out across Ukraine, including in Odessa and Dnepr — the country’s third- and fourth-largest cities. Demonstrations were also held in Lviv, near the Polish border, and in Sumy, close to the eastern front line with Russia.

 

Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko, a vocal critic of Zelensky, joined the protest in the capital.

 

“It’s important for me to be here. Our partners created and funded the anti-corruption bodies, and over the past ten years, they did everything to ensure they could function. And now, the authorities want to strip them of their independence,” the former boxing champion told US state-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

 

Earlier on Telegram, Klitschko accused Zelensky’s administration of “using the war as a pretext to dismantle the anti-corruption agencies” and warned the move pushes Ukraine closer to authoritarianism.

 

In a video address on Wednesday, Zelensky defended the new law, calling it a necessary step to streamline corruption probes and remove “Russian influence.”