The scandal broke out corruption in the Ukraine. Kiev authorities specializing in fighting fraud have announced a large-scale operation that will make it possible to unmask “high-level criminal organizations” in the energy and defense sectors. The announcement comes after several months of tension between these institutions and the government, against the backdrop of debate over anti-corruption efforts in Kiev. “The work carried out has allowed us to obtain thousands of hours of audio recordings, which are evidence of the activities of high-level criminal organizations operating in the energy and defense sectors,” the National Anti-Corruption Agency (NABU) announced in a statement. NABU established the operation “Midas”which was carried out after 15 months of investigations in collaboration with the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP), resulting in “70 searches” that revealed a criminal system that extorted funds from subcontractors of the public nuclear company Energoatom and that “around 100 million dollars” had been laundered.
Energoatom, corruption scandal breaks out
Energoatom confirmed that the case was being investigated and was cooperating with the investigation, without commenting on the corruption allegations. Energy Minister Svitlana Grintchouk said at a press conference that the public energy sector would carry out an investigation as it prepares for a new winter under Russian attack. “It is vital that the investigation is conducted transparently,” he said. “At the same time, I would like to remind you that our energy system is the target of serious attacks and, of course, every incident related to Energoatom is carefully checked by everyone,” he added. Previously, NABU had published photos showing bags of euro and dollar banknotes, but without providing further details about its operation. Both NABU and SAP are subject to government-sponsored legislation passed in July that places them under the direct supervision of the attorney general, who is then appointed by the president. Faced with protests from civil society and the European Union, the government finally announced it would “improve” the law. Ukraine’s energy sector is considered highly strategic, as Russia has bombarded the region with missiles and drones since the start of the invasion. In late October, the former director of the public company Ukrenergo, Volodymyr Koudrytsky, was accused of taking part in the embezzlement of around 283,000 euros in 2018 and briefly detained. According to him, the case was motivated by political reasons.
A minister and friend of Zelensky was involved
Ukrainian media reported that NABU also searched the home of former Energy Minister and current Justice Minister Guerman Galushchenko, as well as the home of Timur Mindich, a close Zelensky ally. “The current war is not just happening on the front lines. It is also a war within the system, between those who want change and those who want to cover everything up with money and silence,” said Martyna Bogouslavets, an anti-corruption activist, on social media. “Any effective action against corruption is absolutely necessary” as are sanctions», he said president of Ukraine. “Energoatom currently provides Ukraine with the largest share of energy production,” Zelensky added, underscoring that “cleaning up the company is a priority.»not just here but “in every sector”. The Ukrainian president concluded by saying that “punishment should be anticipated” and that “government officials should cooperate with Nabu (National Anti-Corruption Office), along with law enforcement, and act” in the right way to get “results”
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