Ukraine suspends justice minister amid energy corruption scandal
Prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko said that the decision to suspend German
Galushchenko had been taken at an emergency government session
AFP reported that the authorities alleged that Galushchenko was involved in a $100m corruption scheme orchestrated by Timur Mindich, an ally of president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and personally benefited from the plot.
But
Reuters said the ministry confirmed he was subject to an active
investigation, but did not specify if it was linked with the energy
corruption case.
Prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko said in a social media post this morning that the decision had been taken at an emergency government session, with deputy justice minister for European intergration Lyudmila Suhak tasked with taking over Galushchenko’s duties.
Galushchenko agreed with the government’s decision,saying that “suspension for the duration of the investigation is a civilised and appropriate scenario.”
“I will defend myself in the legal arena and prove my position,” he added.
The scandal comes at a particularly
difficult time for the administration amid continuing Russian attacks on
Ukrainian energy infrastructure and concerns about how well it’s prepared for the upcoming winter, but also just days after the European Union highlighted the fight against corruption as an area requiring particular improvement if Ukraine wants to join the bloc.
After a row over SAPO’s independence over the summer, which triggered rare protests against Zelenskyy, the commission put on record its concerns about any potential backsliding in this area (Europe Live, last week).
Let’s see what reactions are we going to get during the day, including from the EU.
Head
of Ukraine’s state nuclear power company Energoatom Petro Kotin, energy
minister German Galushchenko, and Ukraine’s president Volodymyr
Zelenskyy visit the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant amid Russia’s
attack on Ukraine, near the town of Netishyn, in Khmelnytskyi region,
Ukraine in February.
