After exposing a scheme in the energy sector: NABU calls on Energoatom’s contractors to testify
17 November 16:41
The anti-corruption special operation in the energy sector is gaining a wider scope: after announcing suspicions to members of a criminal organization that, according to investigators, has been influencing key state-owned enterprises for years, NABU detectives have publicly appealed to Energoatom’s contractors to report corrupt demands and pressure, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
NABU asks businesses to contact them on their own
Speaking at a meeting of the Temporary Investigation Commission of the Verkhovna Rada, the head of the detective unit, Oleksandr Abakumov, said that the investigation already has numerous records that show the contractor companies involved in the scheme, Ukrinform reports .
He urged suppliers not to wait for searches:
“Show how you were worked with, how pressure and cooperation were built,” Abakumov said.
According to the NABU, the criminal organization systematically received kickbacks of 10 to 15% of the contract value. The investigation believes that the scheme was led by businessman Timur Mindich, co-owner of the Kvartal 95 studio, who appears in the wiretaps under the nickname “Carlson.”
Who is involved in the case
According to the investigation, seven people have been notified of suspicion, including:
- Timur Mindich (“Carlson”), a businessman;
- Ihor Myroniuk (“Rocket”), former advisor to the Minister of Energy;
- Dmytro Basov (“Tenor”), executive director for security at Energoatom;
- four members of the back office for money laundering.
Five of the suspects have already been detained.
Searches were also conducted at the home of Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko, who previously headed the Ministry of Energy.
The SBI is in the focus of the investigation
In parallel, the State Bureau of Investigation opened two criminal proceedings against its own employees. The reason for this was NABU’s data, according to which some members of the criminal organization discussed the possibility of influencing the proceedings through contacts in the SBI and parliamentary inquiries.
The head of the Internal Control Department, Bohdan Chobitok, said that the proceedings concern alleged receipt of undue benefit and abuse of power.
Despite this, none of the bureau’s employees have been suspended.
The NABU operation, unofficially called Midas, has become one of the largest in the energy sector in recent years. According to the investigation, the criminal group built a long-term influence on strategic public sector enterprises and had access to Energoatom’s internal processes.
The investigation covered several branches of state structures at once – from the state-owned company to law enforcement agencies, which themselves must be checked for integrity.
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What is known about corruption at Energoatom?
on November 10, the NABU announced that it had uncovered a corruption scheme at Energoatom involving current and former energy officials. The criminals received undue benefits from the company’s contractors in the amount of 10-15% of the value of contracts, using the so-called “barrier” scheme to control payments and the status of suppliers.
The scheme involved a former deputy head of the State Property Fund, who became an advisor to the Minister of Energy, and a former law enforcement officer, who was the executive director of physical protection at Energoatom. Law enforcement officers found that the actual management of a strategic enterprise with an annual revenue of over UAH 200 billion was carried out by unauthorized persons without formal authority.
In addition, the NABU uncovered the “Legalization” scheme, in which a Kyiv office associated with the family of former Russian MP Andrii Derkach laundered money through a network of non-resident companies. About $100 million passed through this scheme, keeping “black books” and issuing cash outside of Ukraine.
According to MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak, the members of the criminal organization identified so far include:
- former advisor to the Minister of Energy Ihor Myroniuk;
- dmytro Basov, Executive Director for Physical Protection and Security of Energoatom JSC;
- businessman and head of the criminal organization Timur Mindich;
- four people – employees of the back office for money laundering.
At the same time, NABU reported only on searches at Energoatom, without mentioning Mindich or Halushchenko.
For his part, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for transparency at Energoatom and the inevitability of punishment for corruption schemes in the energy sector.
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