Ukraine's former energy minister says he cannot pay bail of US$9.8 million

Andrii Muravskyi — 17 February, 13:18

Ukraine's former energy minister Herman Halushchenko, who has been taken into custody, has said he does not have the funds to post bail and does not know who could pay such a substantial amount on his behalf.

Source: Ukraine's former energy minister Herman Halushchenko

Details: When answering journalists' questions in the courtroom Halushchenko said, "I cannot imagine who would do that. I do not even know whom to speak to about it."

He said that he had not discussed the matter with anyone in advance.

"This is not bail; this is a sentence. It means that a person will remain [behind bars – ed.], unfortunately, in our country this is common practice. A person is already serving a punishment," he said.

The amount in question is UAH 425 million (US$9.8 million) in bail, which prosecutors are asking the court to set for Halushchenko as an alternative to pre-trial detention.

"I am accused of the fact that, while serving as minister of energy, I appointed people loyal to the Ministry of Energy. Apparently, it is a crime that you are a minister, responsible for the sector, and you try to appoint your own people to your team," he said.

"It seems to me that this is normal. Otherwise, how can you bear responsibility for the sector?" he added.

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Background:

Earlier, it was reported that prosecutors from the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office would ask the court to impose a preventive measure on Ukraine's former energy minister Herman Halushchenko in the form of detention, with the alternative of posting bail for UAH 425 million (US$9.8 million).
On 16 February, the High Anti-Corruption Court considered the defence's complaint regarding the alleged unlawful detention of former energy minister Herman Halushchenko. The complaint was partially upheld, and Halushchenko was remanded in custody pending the selection of a preventive measure.
On the morning of 10 November, it was revealed that NABU detectives had conducted searches at the homes of Tymur Mindich and Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko (who was then suspended on 12 November). Ukrainska Pravda sources also reported that Mindich left Ukraine hours before the searches.
That same day, NABU reported that they had exposed a large-scale corruption scheme in the energy sector and released audio recordings.
On the night of 14-15 February, NABU and SAPO detained former energy minister Herman Halushchenko while he was attempting to cross the border.
Ukraine's former energy minister Herman Halushchenko was served with a notice of suspicion in the Midas case. He is suspected of large-scale money laundering and was detained while attempting to leave the country.

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