Ukraine’s former Energy Minister has been formally named as a suspect in a high-profile money laundering investigation, authorities announced on Monday, February 16th.
The announcement comes just one day after German Galushchenko was detained by law enforcement while attempting to leave the country. This marks the latest development in a major energy sector corruption scandal that rocked the Ukrainian government last year.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) said in a statement:
The former Energy Minister (2021–2025) has been exposed for money laundering and participation in a criminal organisation.
According to Ukraine’s criminal code, these charges carry a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
Galushchenko was first accused in November of participating in a $100-million (€84 million) kickback scheme involving contractors hired to build fortifications for energy infrastructure against Russian attacks. Investigators now allege they have uncovered approximately $12 million (€10.1 million) in bank accounts directly linked to Galushchenko’s family.
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