Ukraine Corruption Scandal Widens
The latest corruption scandal in Ukraine is expanding: a state-owned bank allegedly involved is now set to be privatized. Investigations are also underway in the president's inner circle. The opposition accuses him of money laundering.
The new corruption scandal surrounding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is spreading further. Anti-corruption authorities have now published the names of the individuals they suspect, including former deputy head of the Presidential Office Iryna Mudra, whom Zelensky had already dismissed. The authorities continue to release audio recordings from their investigations that incriminate the suspects.
This is difficult for Ukrainian society to bear, says journalist Mykhailo Tkach from online outlet Ukrainska Pravda in their podcast: "We thank the anti-corruption agencies NABU and SAP for their renewed attempt to rid our system of government of corrupt politicians." In the morning, citizens listen to the recordings published by NABU, in which bags of cash are mentioned. "And at night we experience the next Russian missile attack," said Tkach. The gulf between those in power and what they concern themselves with, and the lives of ordinary Ukrainians, is growing ever wider.
Particularly shocking to many: how openly and brazenly the officials heard on the recordings speak about corruption.
Bail from Illegal Sources?
At the center of the scandal is former Minister Herman Halushchenko. He was placed in pre-trial detention in February, at which point he attempted to leave the country despite facing corruption investigations. Anti-corruption authorities had already accused him last year of involvement in the embezzlement of more than 110 million US dollars in the energy sector.
The new scandal now concerns the court-ordered bail that secured Halushchenko's release from pre-trial detention several months ago, amounting to nearly three million euros. The money came from illegal sources, according to the accusation, and was being laundered through a state-owned bank.
Opposition Accuses Zelensky of Money Laundering
Some opposition politicians are directing accusations on this matter squarely at President Zelensky himself. Among them is Yaroslav Zheleznyak of the opposition party Holos: "I believe the version put forward by, among others, the newspaper Dzerkalo Tyzhnia is accurate," says Zheleznyak. "After four and a half months in pre-trial detention, Halushchenko threatened to expose everyone else. I would remind you that of the offshore accounts in question, only ten million US dollars are registered in his name. Who controls the remaining 100 million is unknown."
This, he claims, sent President Zelensky into a panic, leading him to instruct the head of his office, Budanov, to arrange the bail money for Halushchenko.
Suspect Bank Set to Be Privatized
Zelensky has so far made no statement on the new corruption allegations — something for which he is being widely criticized.
Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky has instructed the Finance Ministry to privatize the state-owned Sense Bank. The proceeds are to flow into defense spending. This bank is alleged to have been used to launder money from illegal sources that was intended to be used for the bail of former minister Haluschenko. Anti-corruption authorities are also investigating senior employees of the bank.
