Poturaev: Anti-corruption agencies raise questions about Law 3894

Mykyta Poturaev. Photo: Screenshot from Ukrinform video

The National Agency on Corruption Prevention has raised concerns about the anti-church Law No. 3894, aimed at effectively banning the UOC. This was stated in an interview with Ukrinform by Mykyta Poturaev, a member of the Servant of the People party and head of the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy.

Poturaev explained that the Cabinet of Ministers has yet to approve certain regulatory acts of the State Service of Ethnic and Religious Affairs (DESS), which is preventing them from being implemented in practice.

"For some time, there were delays in coordination with the Ministry of Justice. Now, as I recently learned with some surprise, the National Agency on Corruption Prevention has raised concerns regarding property issues," he explained.

The MP complained that this is stalling the entire process, but he has no intention of "backing down, lest anyone – including anti-corruption agencies –  think otherwise, because this concerns the realization of the right to freedom of conscience."

"Friends, do you understand what you are playing with? You are playing with issues of national security, in fact. The President, when we, with his direct support, pushed this law through the votes, clearly stated – this is about spiritual sovereignty and spiritual independence," Poturaev warned the NACP, referring to the direct involvement of Volodymyr Zelensky in promoting the law.

However, he acknowledged that no one can influence the anti-corruption agency, and according to current legislation, without the approval of anti-corruption agencies, no law can be enacted.

According to the MP, the relevant committee of the Verkhovna Rada is awaiting a response to its request from the anti-corruption agencies regarding their objections.

As reported by the UOJ, Poturaev had previously stated that from the list of regulations to be approved by DESS, one act still remains uncoordinated with the Ministry of Finance.

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