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Ukraine Suspends Justice Minister in Expanding Energoatom Graft Probe

The move follows prosecutors’ revelations of an alleged kickback network tied to state nuclear contracts.

Overview

  • Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said Justice Minister Herman Galushchenko was suspended, with deputy minister for European integration Lyudmyla Suhak assigned to act.
  • NABU and the Specialized Anti‑Corruption Prosecutor’s Office detailed the ‘Midas’ case, alleging a 10–15% ‘gate’ scheme that pressured Energoatom suppliers by leveraging a 2024 debt‑collection moratorium.
  • Investigators released audio snippets and images of cash they say document the operation, carried out more than 70 searches, detained five people, and notified seven of suspicion.
  • Prosecutors named businessman Timur Mindich as the alleged ringleader; media report he left Ukraine for abroad, and allegations extend to defense procurement, which ex‑defense minister Rustem Umerov rejects as undue influence, noting a disputed body‑armor contract was canceled with no deliveries.
  • Opposition figures demanded the government’s resignation and warned of risks to Western aid, while the Kremlin asserted that donors in the EU and US are taking notice of the scandal.