"Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) say Yermak is suspected of involvement in an organised criminal group that allegedly laundered about 460 million hryvnias ($10.5m) through a luxury real estate project near Kyiv. Prosecutors are seeking to impose bail of about $5.4m on the 54-year-old while they continue their investigation."
"Yermak appeared at a Kyiv court on Tuesday for a hearing related to the charges, which are part of a widening probe drawing in other senior figures associated with the president, including his national security chief. While Zelenskyy is not accused of any wrongdoing, the scandal could potentially threaten Ukraine's aspirations for European Union membership as it seeks to convince the bloc that its anticorruption drive is on track."
"Yermak, who resigned in November, has firmly rejected the claims. In a post on Telegram after a court hearing on Tuesday, he described the accusations as unfounded. As a lawyer with more than 30 years' experience, I have always been guided by the law. And now, in the same way, I will defend my rights, my name and my reputation, he said."
Andriy Yermak, former chief of staff and close aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is suspected in a multimillion-dollar money laundering scheme linked to a luxury housing project near Kyiv. Ukrainian anticorruption authorities named him an official suspect as part of a broader investigation involving senior figures connected to the president, including the national security chief. Prosecutors allege involvement in an organized criminal group that laundered about 460 million hryvnias through the real estate project. Authorities are seeking bail of about $5.4m while the investigation continues. Yermak resigned in November and rejected the allegations, stating they are unfounded and that he will defend his rights, name, and reputation. Zelenskyy is not accused, but the scandal could affect Ukraine’s European Union membership prospects.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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