Ukraine’s government on Wednesday suspended Justice Minister German Galushchenko, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced, as authorities investigate allegations of corruption in the country’s energy sector.
Seven individuals have been charged in connection with an alleged $100 million kickback scheme involving senior energy officials. The scandal has sparked public outrage and drawn attention to Kyiv’s ongoing battle against corruption.
Galushchenko, who previously served as Ukraine’s energy minister, was the subject of investigative actions, his ministry said on Tuesday. It was not immediately clear whether the suspension is directly linked to the energy corruption case being probed by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau.
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Posting on Facebook, Galushchenko said he agreed with the decision. “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 wrote, without providing further details about the probe.
The allegations have heightened public sensitivity, particularly as Ukraine faces widespread daily blackouts even before the onset of winter, compounded by ongoing Russian attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure.
