Large-scale investigation into procurement In sector energetic Ukraine involves figures close to the president Volodymyr Zelensky. Alleged spin bribe which is the place of investigationNational Anti-Corruption Office Ukraine (Nabu) is carrying out an investigation and that led – as reported by the newspaper Ukrainska Pravda – also to a search of the apartment East Mindich. The businessman is considered dear Friend belongs to the president of Ukraine and it also belongs to him former partner: He is, among other things, the co-owner of a television production company Quarter 95 established from Zelenskyy before becoming president. Among the people involved – he wrote Ukrin Information – Also minister Justice German Galushchenkowho previously served as Minister of Energy.
The company must pay a bribe of 10-15%
Based on what happened, Mindich will be like that escape overseas hours before investigators arrived at his apartment in Kiev. Also at the center of the investigation is Ukraine’s state nuclear energy operator, energy goat. In his statement, Nabu said that several individuals had formed a tape criminal and apply “a floor From corruption on a large scale to influence strategic companies in the public sector, in particular Energoatom”. To avoid blocking payments for services or goods, or losing their supplier status, companies are forced, according to what the anti-corruption office reconstructed “to pay bribe 10-15%“As Ukrainska Pravda reported, the investigation also linked Mindich to one of them offshore company registered in Island Virgin English and activities recycling money being “closely scrutinized” by the US FBI.
“100 million dollars laundered”
In total, around 70 searches were carried out by NABU following a 15-month investigation, in collaboration with the special anti-corruption prosecutor’s office. Nabu claims to have found “aorganization criminal high level” based on obtaining kickbacks from contracts awarded by a major nuclear energy supplier, Energoatom.Publishing recording audio of the alleged perpetrators who discussed the plan, said that approx 100 million dollars they were carrying out a money laundering operation. Energoatom confirmed it had been searched and was assured to cooperate with the investigation, but did not comment on the substance of the allegations. Zelensky also has not commented. “For now, nothing is clear,” his assistant Dmytro Lytvyn told reporters: “If Nabu has done his job well, then this can only be supported,” he added.
The struggle against anti-corruption institutions
This step came several months after Zelensky he tries to weaken both Nabu and the anti-corruption prosecutor’s office, sparked the public’s reaction and the most big protest since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. A mobilization that forced the Ukrainian president to do just that tooth to the backalso because of concerns that the reforms could undermine Kiev’s ambitions to join the European Union. Accusations of siphoning funds from the energy industry also arise at a time when the sector is in trouble is under attack incessant from the party Russia and the national energy shortage facing the country has sparked new public anger. bribery in transactions involving the state nuclear energy operator, Energoatom.
The article Anti-corruption operation in Ukraine, searched at the home of Zelensky’s friend and former colleague: “A minister was involved” comes from Il Fatto Quotidiano.
