A Ukrainian court has ordered the pre-trial detention of Andrii Yermak, former head of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office and a long-time close confidant, over his alleged participation in a money-laundering scheme.
A judge ruled on Thursday that Yermak is to remain in custody for an initial period of 60 days, with the possibility of release on bail.
Yermak faces money laundering charges. He and five other suspects are accused of being part of an organized group that laundered nearly €9 million ($10.6 million) linked to a luxury construction project near Kiev.
Yermak, 54, has categorically denied the allegations. He also stated that he does not have the financial means to pay the bail amount, set at the equivalent of €2.72 million ($3.19 million).
On Wednesday, details emerged of Yermak’s contact with an esoteric consultant. Prosecutors presented chat records between him and a woman described as an esoteric adviser, listed in his contacts as “Veronica Feng Shui’s office.”
According to the evidence, Yermak - who was widely regarded as Zelensky’s right-hand man until November last year - discussed appointments to senior positions in Ukraine, sending her birth dates and seeking advice.
According to Ukrainian press reports, the 51-year-old woman describes herself as an astrological consultant.
Until his resignation last year, Yermak was seen as the second-most powerful man in Ukraine, conducting negotiations aimed at ending the war with Russia.
The presidential office responded to the evidence by saying that it did not get involved in esoteric ideas, numerology, Feng shui, or anything of the kind.
Zelensky's adviser Dmytro Lytvyn said he had never seen such people in the presidential office.
Yermak, a former film producer and close associate of Zelensky from his days in show business, had led the presidential office since 2020.
