Halushchenko was detained at the border while trying to leave the country — reported earlier, with reference to their own sources, the portals Ukrainska Pravda and RBK-Ukraina.
“Today, while crossing the border, NABU detectives detained the former Minister of Energy in connection with the 'Midas' case. Preliminary investigative activities are underway (…),” NABU said in the Telegram messenger.
The article continues below the video
Why was Herman Hałushchenko detained?
What charges were brought against the former minister?
Who is Timur Mindicz?
What amounts of bribes were collected in the Ukrainian energy sector?
“On the night (from February 14 to) 15, former Minister of Energy Herman Hałuszczenko was detained while trying to cross the border. It was clarified that he was dropped off the train” Ukrainska Pravda wrote earlier. However, the media does not reveal which part of the Ukrainian border he tried to cross.
A major corruption scandal in Ukraine
In November, NABU and SAP (Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office) revealed an extensive corruption system in the Ukrainian energy sector. According to investigators' findings, its participants collected bribes ranging from 10 to 15 percent from contractors of the state-owned operator of nuclear power plants, Energoatom. contract values. Illegal means were to be legalized by the so-called back office in the center of Kiev, through which – it was determined – approximately USD 100 million passed through.
Five people were detained and seven others were charged. The investigation, which is being conducted under the code name “Midas”, includes the name of Timur Mindich, a businessman and associate of President Volodymyr Zelensky. Mindicz, who is hiding abroad, is considered the organizer of the entire operation. NABU also reported that members of a criminal organization were documented transferring money to former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov.
SAP prosecutors reported that Mindicz established contacts with the then Minister of Energy (until July 17 last year), and later Minister of Justice, Halushchenko. Through him, Mindicz was to exercise control over financial flows in the gas and energy sectors of Ukraine. Halushchenko allegedly used Mindicz's services to launder money through a proxy advisor to the Minister of Energy, Ihor Myroniuk.
