Without the prosecutor general’s approval, the NABU cannot independently initiate criminal proceedings against a member of parliament. The Bureau must go to the prosecutor general and receive an answer as to whether the case has been opened.
There have been instances when, at the SAPO’s request to launch an investigation, they were refused. SAPO head Oleksandr Klymenko said this at a briefing.
“In certain cases we receive refusals. Although, in the view of detectives and prosecutors, there are sufficient grounds to begin an investigation regarding a specific member of parliament, one or another,” he said.
Klymenko added that if the SAPO had the authority to open proceedings against MPs without the prosecutor general, there could be more such cases.
At present, only the prosecutor general or the person acting in that role can sign a suspicion notice for a member of parliament.