"KYIV - Ukrainian authorities opened a criminal case against the country's former energy minister German Galushchenko one day after he was caught at the border trying to flee the country - the latest charges in a $100 million corruption probe that has ensnared some of Ukraine's highest-ranking officials and shaken the office of President Volodymyr Zelensky. Galushchenko, who served as energy minister for four years before becoming justice minister for a short period last year, was arrested by anti-corruption authorities on the Ukrainian-Polish border Sunday."
"On Monday, authorities said he was charged on suspicion of "money laundering and participation in a criminal organization." The arrest is part of an investigation into high-level graft, code-named "Midas." Other suspects include Timur Mindich, a close friend and former business partner of Zelensky, and Oleksiy Chernyshov, a former deputy prime minister. Authorities say the group ran a kickback scheme tied to contracts signed with Ukraine's state nuclear energy company, Energoatom."
"Zelensky's top aide, Andriy Yermak, resigned in November, hours after authorities searched his home and office as part of the corruption probe. Yermak has not been charged, however, officials said. The investigation has placed the issue of Ukraine's seemingly never-ending battle with corruption front and center and has rattled its European supporters as the country struggles to defend itself against Russia's invasion, which will reach its fourth anniversary next week."
Ukrainian authorities opened a criminal case after former energy minister German Galushchenko was caught at the border attempting to flee and arrested. Officials charged him with money laundering and participation in a criminal organization as part of a $100 million corruption probe code-named Midas. Other suspects include Timur Mindich and Oleksiy Chernyshov, accused of running a kickback scheme tied to contracts with state nuclear company Energoatom. Andriy Yermak resigned after searches but has not been charged. The probe has intensified scrutiny of pervasive corruption, unsettled European supporters, and heightened sensitivity around energy-sector graft amid winter power disruptions and ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks.
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