Ukrainian Energy Corruption Case Takes Action! Justice Minister Galushchenko Suspended
Ukrainian Prime Minister Svyrydenko (Yulia Svyrydenko) announced on the 12th that after the energy sector corruption scandal broke out, the Justice Minister Galushchenko (German Galushchenko) had been suspended. This move was made less than a day after the anti-corruption prosecutors accused this former energy minister of being involved in the case, marking the first major political personnel adjustment in this case.
According to AFP, Galushchenko later issued a statement saying he had communicated with the Prime Minister and agreed to this decision. He added, "Political decisions must be made first before all details can be clarified." He believes that being suspended during the investigation is "a civilized and correct approach," and vowed "to defend himself in court and prove his position." His position has been temporarily assumed by Deputy Minister Sugak (Lyudmyla Sugak), who is responsible for European integration affairs.
According to the charges from the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution Office (SAPO) on the 11th, Galushchenko received "personal benefits" from the mastermind of the corruption case, Timur Mindich, a close ally of President Zelenskyy, during his four-year tenure as the energy minister, in exchange for control over the flow of funds in the energy sector.
SAPO also accused Mindich as the mastermind of this $100 million corruption case. NABU officials confirmed that Mindich had left Ukraine shortly before the large-scale raid on Monday.
After the exposure of this corruption case, the Ukrainian government took a series of emergency measures. In addition to suspending the Justice Minister, the government also removed the entire board of directors of the state-owned nuclear power company "Energoatom" on the 11th, which was accused of being at the core of the corruption plan.
The report pointed out that although Zelenskyy stated support for the anti-corruption campaign on the 10th, he has not yet commented on the latest developments, including his ally being charged as the mastermind and the suspension of the Justice Minister. Eliminating systemic corruption is one of the key conditions for Ukraine's application to join the EU. (Rural Cat)
Photo: German Galushchenko, the Ukrainian Justice Minister suspended due to involvement in the energy corruption case (center). The accusations mainly occurred during his tenure as the energy minister. This photo shows him in February this year, accompanying President Zelenskyy (right) on an inspection of the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant. (Reuters archive photo)
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1848625020495940/
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