Ukrainian authorities charged seven people yesterday in an alleged $100 million corruption scandal that allegedly involved senior energy officials. The case has sparked public outrage and brought Kiev's fight against corruption back into focus.
Ukraine is under pressure to crack down on corruption as it seeks to move closer to European Union membership and secure crucial financial support from Western partners, while also trying to protect its energy system from massive Russian attacks.
Allegations of corruption in the energy sector are particularly sensitive for the public, which faces long-term, daily power outages across the country, Reuters points out.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) said it had arrested five suspects and identified two more, as part of a scheme to rig tenders at state-owned enterprises, particularly the nuclear agency Energoatom.
A source familiar with the case said that the main organizer, as described by NABU, is Timur Mindich, a former business associate of President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Others charged in the investigation include a former advisor to the energy minister, the head of security at Energoatom, and four so-called “backroom” administrative workers. NABU later identified a former deputy prime minister as another suspect. The official is alleged to have been paid $1,2 million in bribes.
Justice Minister German Galushchenko, who previously served as energy minister, was the subject of an investigation, his ministry said. According to a source familiar with the case, Galushchenko's voice was recorded in a recorded conversation with one of the suspects released by NABU.
NABU said investigators had been working on the case for 15 months and that more than 70 searches had been carried out across the country during the investigation. Four months ago, Zelensky unsuccessfully tried to limit NABU's independence, but was forced to back down after protests.
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