Ukraine’s Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, on Wednesday announced the suspension of Justice Minister Herman Galushchenko following a widening corruption scandal linked to the country’s energy sector.
According to AFP, the move came a day after the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) accused Timur Mindich, a close ally of President Volodymyr Zelensky, of orchestrating a $100 million embezzlement scheme involving state energy funds.
In a statement, Svyrydenko said, “A decision was made to suspend Herman Galushchenko from performing the duties of minister of justice.”
Deputy Minister for European Integration, Lyudmyla Sugak, has been appointed to temporarily oversee the ministry’s activities.
Responding to his suspension, Galushchenko said he had spoken with the prime minister and agreed with her decision, describing it as “a civilised and correct step.”
“A political decision must be made, and only then can all the details be sorted out,” he said. “I will defend myself in court and prove my position.”
SAPO prosecutors allege that Galushchenko, who served as energy minister for four years before assuming the justice portfolio, received “personal benefits” from Mindich in exchange for granting him control over key financial flows in the energy sector.
The scandal, which has stirred public outrage, comes as Ukraine continues to grapple with widespread infrastructure damage from ongoing Russian attacks, further testing the government’s credibility and anti-corruption drive.
