Ukraine’s justice minister suspended over $100 million energy corruption case involving former energy minister and presidential ally Timur Mindich
KYIV: Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko has suspended Justice Minister German Galushchenko amid a major corruption scandal in the country’s energy sector.
The announcement came Wednesday, one day after anti-corruption prosecutors accused former energy minister Timur Mindich of orchestrating a $100 million embezzlement scheme.
“A decision was made to suspend Herman Galushchenko from performing the duties of minister of justice,” Svyrydenko stated.
She confirmed that Deputy Minister for European Integration Lyudmyla Sugak has taken over Galushchenko’s responsibilities.
The Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office alleges Mindich, a close ally of President Volodymyr Zelensky, masterminded the massive corruption operation.
Prosecutors claim Galushchenko received “personal benefits” from Mindich during his four-year tenure as energy minister.
They said these benefits were exchanged for control over financial flows within Ukraine’s energy sector.
The corruption investigation emerges as Ukraine’s infrastructure faces continued bombardment from Russian attacks.
The scandal has provoked widespread public anger amid the country’s ongoing defensive war. – AFP