Zelenskyy explains polygraph requirement in NABU reform bill
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the bill registered in the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's Parliament) regarding the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) is aimed at strengthening the independence of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies. He made this statement during his evening address.
"Today, my bill is already in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine — the one I promised — for justice, for law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies," the president said.
According to the head of state, the document provides "full guarantees of the independence of anti-corruption agencies" and "real means of verifying that there is no Russian interference."
The president emphasized that all individuals who have access to state secrets must undergo regular polygraph testing. This applies not only to employees of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), but also to staff of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the National Police.
"Everyone who has access to state secrets — and this includes not only NABU and SAPO but also the SBI and our National Police — must undergo polygraph testing. These must be regular checks," Zelenskyy stated.
He added that the bill also contains provisions designed to safeguard the system from abuse.
The text of the bill has already been discussed with partners, representatives of NABU, SAPO, and law enforcement agencies. According to him, international partners, particularly from the United Kingdom, Germany, and the European Union, have expressed many suggestions and an interest in involving European experts.
"I have instructed our officials to present the bill to all our partners and to involve all necessary expert resources," the head of state concluded.
Zelenskyy's bill
Today, July 24, President Zelenskyy submitted to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's parliament) a draft law aimed at ensuring the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), and preventing Russian influence on anti-corruption bodies.
The document stipulates that employees of NABU and a number of other law enforcement agencies with access to state secrets must undergo a polygraph test at least once every two years.
