Ukraine’s anti-corruption court on Thursday ordered the arrest of Andriy Yermak, a close ally of President Volodymyr Zelensky and former head of his administration, on money-laundering charges.
The court also set bail at 140 million hryvnias (€2.7 million), which would allow Yermak, who has denied the allegations against him, to be released pending a final ruling in his case.
Yermak told reporters after the court’s decision:
“I don’t have that kind of money, and my lawyer will now work with friends and acquaintances (to raise the money for bail). … My legal team will file an appeal. We will use every legal avenue to seek justice and the truth.”
Following his designation as a suspect in a significant corruption inquiry on Monday, Yermak’s arrest signifies a major escalation in the investigation, penetrating the president’s closest circle of advisors.
