The Government Suspended the Minister of Justice: What Caused it and Who Will Perform the Duties
12 November 09:47
The Cabinet of Ministers has suspended Herman Halushchenko from his duties as Minister of Justice. This was announced on November 12 by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
According to her, the relevant decision was made during an extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held this morning.
According to the Cabinet’s decision, Deputy Minister of Justice for European Integration Lyudmyla Suhak will be acting minister.
Why did the government suspend Halushchenko?
The decision to suspend him was made after the NABU and the SAPO launched a large-scale anti-corruption operation called Midas. Investigators believe that high-ranking officials, including former representatives of the Ministry of Energy, may be involved in a scheme to launder about $100 million in the energy sector.
on November 10, anti-corruption authorities announced that they were investigating illegal money laundering through the office of former MP and now Russian Senator Andriy Derkach.
The prosecutor of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office said that businessman Timur Mindich had influenced a number of high-ranking officials, including then-Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko (later Minister of Justice) and former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who is now the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.
Herman Galushchenko’s reaction
Halushchenko himself has already commented on his suspension. He confirmed that he had talked to Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and agreed to the government’s political decision.
“I fully agree: we need to make a political decision, and only then deal with the details,” the former minister wrote on social media.
He added that he is not holding on to his position and considers his suspension for the duration of the investigation “a civilized and correct step.”
“I am not holding on to my position as minister and will not hold on to it. I believe that suspension for the duration of the investigation is a civilized and correct scenario. I will defend myself legally and prove my position,” Galushchenko said.
Who will act as Minister of Justice?
Until the investigation is completed, Lyudmyla Sugak, Deputy Minister for European Integration, will act as head of the Ministry of Justice.
Sugak has more than 15 years of experience in the legal field and represented Ukraine in negotiations with the EU on reforms in the justice system and the adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to European standards.
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.
MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak submitted resolutions to the Verkhovna Rada to dismiss Minister of Justice Herman Halushchenko and Minister of Energy Svitlana Hrynchuk.
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