Ukraine’s Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, has announced the suspension of the country’s Justice Minister, Herman Galushchenko, following a high-profile corruption scandal linked to the energy sector.
The development came just a day after Ukraine’s Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office accused Timur Mindich, a close ally of President Volodymyr Zelensky, of masterminding a $100 million embezzlement scheme involving state energy funds.
In a statement on Wednesday, Svyrydenko said, “A decision was made to suspend Herman Galushchenko from performing the duties of Minister of Justice.”
She added that Deputy Minister for European Integration, Lyudmyla Sugak, would temporarily assume his responsibilities.
Responding to the suspension, Galushchenko said he had spoken with the prime minister and agreed to the decision.
“A political decision must be made, and only then can all the details be sorted out,” he noted.
The embattled minister described his suspension as “a civilised and correct step,” pledging to “defend myself in court and prove my position.”
According to SAPO investigators, Galushchenko allegedly received personal benefits from Mindich while serving as Ukraine’s Energy Minister, in exchange for granting control over financial flows in the energy sector.
