A former Ukrainian energy minister has been arrested while attempting to leave the country in connection with a high-profile corruption scandal, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
According to CNN, Ukraine’s anti-corruption bureau stated that its detectives “detained the former minister of energy as part of the Midas case,” referring to a sweeping probe into corruption in the nation’s energy sector that sparked a major political crisis last year.
“Initial investigative actions are ongoing, carried out in accordance with the requirements of the law,” NABU added in a statement, without disclosing the identity of the former minister.
The controversy, involving alleged kickbacks from contractors, including those responsible for safeguarding critical energy infrastructure, prompted the resignation of both the current and a former energy minister at President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request last year. Both ministers denied any wrongdoing.
The scandal also led to the resignation of presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak.
Investigators have claimed that roughly $100 million was siphoned from state-owned companies, including Energoatom, which operates Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, as payments were made to contractors for work enhancing security at key sites.
Previously, Ukraine’s anti-corruption authorities reported that searches were conducted at dozens of properties as part of the investigation.
Corruption probes have become a recurring issue in Ukraine. Since 2023, NABU has launched inquiries into multiple scandals.
In January 2024, Ukraine’s Security Service uncovered a large-scale corruption scheme in military weapons procurement totaling nearly $40 million.
