Ukraine ex-energy minister Galushchenko named suspect in laundering probe

Ukraine's former energy minister German Galushchenko has been formally named as a suspect in a high-profile money laundering probe, investigators said on Monday.

The announcement comes one day after Galushchenko was detained by law enforcement attempting to leave Ukraine, and is the latest development in a corruption scandal in the energy sector that rocked the government last year.

"The former Energy Minister (2021-2025) has been exposed for money laundering and participation in a criminal organisation," the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) said in a statement.

The statement did not name Galushchenko, but he served as the country's energy minister between 2021 and 2025.

The charges carry sentences of up to 15 years in prison, according Ukraine's criminal code.

Galushchenko was accused in November of taking part in a $100-million kickback scheme from contractors building fortifications to defend energy infrastructure against Russian attacks.

Investigators now allege they found approximately $12 million in bank accounts linked to Galushchenko's family.

He said in November that he would "defend himself in court," as he was suspended from his post.

He was one of several high-profile political figures who resigned in the wake of the scandal, with investigators alleging the scheme also implicated a close ally of President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Zelensky swept to power in 2019 vowing to stamp out corruption among the political elite.

His government passed some reforms, but has also faced several embarrassing graft scandals, including within the defence ministry.

The European Union is urging sweeping reforms to stamp out corruption as part of demands for Ukrainian membership to the bloc.