NABU Staff to Pay for Damages Personally Under New Accountability Bill

Bill Seeks to Strengthen Personal Liability for NABU Employees

According to Главком: A draft law has been submitted to Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, aiming to enforce stricter personal financial liability for employees of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) for unlawful actions and decisions. The bill was introduced by Members of Parliament Anna Skorokhod, Heorhiy Mazurashu, and Mykhailo Sokolov.

The proposed legislation would amend Article 20 of the law on NABU. While the current version contains a general provision for compensation of damages caused by bureau staff, the new amendments specify that any material or moral damages and/or losses inflicted on an individual or legal entity due to the decisions, actions, or inaction of a NABU employee must be fully compensated by that employee from their personal funds and property, as stipulated by current law. This move comes as Ukraine continues its efforts to reform key institutions and align with international anti-corruption standards.

Scope of NABU Employee Liability

According to the document, NABU employees would be held personally accountable for a range of violations, including:

• Issuing unlawful notices of suspicion;
• Carrying out illegal detention or holding in custody;
• Conducting illegal searches;
• Performing unlawful seizures;
• Imposing illegal property arrests;
• Unlawful suspension from office;
• Applying administrative arrest or correctional labor;
• Enforcing illegal confiscation of property;
• Imposing unlawful fines;
• Conducting illegal investigative or operational measures.

The bill has gained relevance following events related to NABU's closure of a case against the company Archer in September of last year. Its passage could mark a significant step toward increasing accountability for anti-corruption agency personnel and ensuring the legality of their operations.

This legislative initiative reflects the drive within Ukrainian law to tighten oversight of anti-corruption bodies, a crucial aspect of the country's broader fight against corruption.

Amid heightened public demands for transparency and accountability in government structures, proposals like this one may help build greater public trust in state institutions.