Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odessa and other cities protested over the liquidation of NABU and SAP: photo report

On the evening of 23 July, protests were held in Kiev, Lviv, Odessa, Kharkiv and Dnipro against Law No. 12414, which significantly reduces the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP).

Protests in Kiev

The action in the capital started at 20:00 in front of the Franko Theatre, the nearest site to the President's Office. According to eyewitnesses, several thousand people gathered at the site. During the evening, the total number of participants could reach 5,000. Videos showing the protesters even from the windows of the presidential office are circulating online.

Odessa

In Odessa, protesters gathered on Deribasovskaya Street before marching towards the city council. The main slogans were "Veto" and "Corruption kills". The participants expressed dissatisfaction with the "destruction of democratic institutions."

Kharkiv

About a thousand people rallied on Svobody Square in Kharkiv. They shouted "Hands off the NABU" and "Shame", drivers actively honked in support of the rally.

Dnipro

In Dnipro, about 400 people came out to protest. The action was called "Requiem for Freedom" - a symbolic farewell to the independence of anti-corruption bodies and belief in justice.

Law on NABU and SAP

Law No. 12414, adopted on 22 July, gives the Prosecutor General the right to interfere in the activities of the NABU and SAP - to transfer cases to other bodies, change the jurisdiction of investigations and give binding instructions to detectives and prosecutors. The law sparked a wave of discontent both in Ukraine and among the country's international partners.

Lviv

About 500 people initially gathered in the centre of Lviv, but later their number grew to 1,500. The participants marched through the city with slogans such as "Hands off NABU", "NABU and SAP are not for your paws", "Change or die". Motorists supported the action by signalling.