Ukraine broadens powers of top security body

Kiev, Dec 25 (IANS) The Ukrainian parliament Thursday approved a bill granting more powers to the country’s top security body, the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC), the legislature’s press service said.

The bill, which gives the NSDC the right to make decisions independently in emergencies without approval from the head of state or government, was passed with 253 votes in favour, Xinhua reported citing the press service.

According to the new law, the NSDC, which previously supervised only the defence ministry and the armed forces, now acquires the right to partially control law enforcement, anti-corruption and executive agencies.

Besides, the NSDC secretary is entitled to declare martial law or a state of emergency in the country should a threat to national security arise.

Previously the Ukrainian president was the only person who had the right to impose a special security status in the country.

Last week, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko appointed former parliament speaker Oleksandr Turchynov as secretary of the NSDC after the sudden resignation of his predecessor Andriy Parubiy.