Ukraine’s former Energy Minister, German Galushchenko, was arrested on Sunday while trying to cross the border, Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) confirmed.
“Today, while crossing the state border, NABU detectives have detained the former Minister of Energy as part of the ‘Midas’ case,” the NABU said in a statement.
He was detained as part of the “Midas” case, a corruption scandal involving Ukraine’s energy sector.
Galushchenko, who served as energy minister from 2021 to 2025, had resigned in November amid the scandal.
According to Ukraine’s Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), the alleged $100m scheme was orchestrated by businessman Timur Mindich.
SAPO’s investigators say Galushchenko helped Mindich manage illicit financial flows in the energy sector, while contractors working with Energoatom were forced to pay bribes of 10 to 15 percent to avoid losing contracts or facing payment delays.
The investigation alleges a $100 million kickback scheme involving Energoatom, Ukraine’s state-owned nuclear energy company.
However, the arrest is part of Ukraine’s efforts to combat corruption, a key requirement for its bid to join the European Union.
