The Ukrainian government today removed the Minister of Justice, after he was implicated in an alleged scheme to charge commissions at the national atomic energy company, revealed on Monday by the country’s anti-corruption agency.
“This morning we held an extraordinary Government meeting. We took the decision to remove Herman Galushchenko from carrying out his duties as Minister of Justice”, wrote the Prime Minister, Yulia Sviridenko, on the X social network.
On Monday, the Ukrainian parliament began the process of dismissing Galushchenko, who, according to an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), was involved, as Energy Minister, in a network that obtained at least 100 million dollars (86 million euros) in commissions related to contracts awarded to private companies by a subsidiary of the state atomic energy company Energoatom.
Deputy Minister Liudmila Sugak will replace Galushchenko, who served as Energy Minister until July.
The Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office told the court on Tuesday that the alleged ringleader, President Volodymir Zelensky’s former partner and 50% owner of the production company he founded, businessman Timur Mindich, had direct influence over Galushchenko and the then Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov.
Umerov, in addition to being the current head of the National Security Council, also headed Ukraine’s negotiating team in recent contacts with Russia.