Zelensky announces reboot of the SBI amid internal checks: what’s behind the urgent bill
2 January 18:32
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has instructed to urgently prepare and submit to the Verkhovna Rada a draft law on the renewal of the State Bureau of Investigation. The document should be submitted to the Parliament in January.
The head of state announced this on his Telegram channel, emphasizing that the changes should strengthen the independence of the SBI, increase the effectiveness of investigations and establish new rules for the work of the bureau’s employees, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
“I expect a full-fledged presidential draft law and its immediate submission to the Verkhovna Rada,” Zelensky said.
The president’s statement came amid an internal audit of the SBI itself
The Bureau reported that it was investigating the circumstances of its employees’ contacts with the persons involved in Operation Midas.
The SBI noted that they are planning investigative actions against the persons designated by the initials “M.” and “B.”. According to media reports, this probably refers to Myroniuk and Basov, who are associated with the high-profile case.
At the same time, the Bureau does not specify:
- which SBI employees were in contact with the defendants;
- for what purpose these contacts took place;
- why these circumstances were not established earlier.
What may change
Although the specific provisions of the future draft law have not yet been made public, the President has outlined its overall goal of restoring confidence in the SBI and improving the quality of investigations.
The presidential draft law is expected to be registered in the Verkhovna Rada in the coming weeks.
