Zelenskyy's ex-chief of staff appears in court in money-laundering case

"A former top aide to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appeared in court as prosecutors seek his arrest on charges of involvement in a multimillion-dollar money laundering scheme. Prosecutors allege that Yermak, 54, funnelled about 460 million Ukrainian hryvnias ($10.5m) into a high-end Dynasty housing complex in Kozyn, near Kyiv."

"Investigators suspect that funds used in the development may have originated from corruption at Energoatom, Ukraine's state nuclear energy company. The prosecution has asked the court to remand Yermak in custody, with bail set at 180 million Ukrainian hryvnias ($4m). Yermak denied the allegations."

"The hearing is due to resume on Wednesday. The notice of suspicion is unfounded, Yermak wrote on Telegram following Tuesday's proceedings. As a lawyer with more than 30 years of experience, I have always been guided by the law. And now I will likewise defend my rights, my name, and my reputation."

"The case is part of a broader anticorruption operation, dubbed Midas, led by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). The operation was unveiled last November, when Timur Mindich, a former business associate of Zelenskyy, was accused of orchestrating a $100m kickback scheme at Energaotom. Mindich, who denies the allegations, has fled to Israel."

Andriy Yermak, a former top aide to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, appeared in court as prosecutors sought his arrest over alleged involvement in a multimillion-dollar money laundering scheme. Prosecutors allege he funnelled about 460 million Ukrainian hryvnias, roughly $10.5m, into the high-end Dynasty housing complex in Kozyn near Kyiv. Investigators suspect the development funds may have originated from corruption at Energoatom, Ukraine’s state nuclear energy company. Prosecutors requested Yermak be remanded in custody, with bail set at 180 million hryvnias, about $4m. Yermak denied the allegations and said the notice of suspicion was unfounded. The case is linked to the broader anticorruption operation Midas led by NABU and SAPO.

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