Former Ukrainian energy minister says he cannot pay US$9.8m bail

Andrii Muravskyi — 17 February, 13:18

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 anyone who could pay such a substantial amount on his behalf.

Source: former Ukrainian energy minister Herman Halushchenko

Details: In response to journalists' questions in the courtroom, Halushchenko said: "I can't imagine who would do that. I don't even know who I could speak to about it."

He said he had not discussed the matter with anyone beforehand.

"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 have asked the court to set for Halushchenko as an alternative to pre-trial detention.

"I am accused of appointing people loyal to the Energy Ministry when I served as energy minister. Apparently it's a crime to be a minister responsible for a sector and 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 the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) would ask the court to remand Halushchenko in custody, with the alternative of UAH 425 million (US$9.8 million) bail.
On 16 February, the High Anti-Corruption Court considered a complaint from the defence alleging that the former energy minister's detention was unlawful. The complaint was partially upheld, but Halushchenko was remanded in custody pending the selection of a pre-trial restriction.
On the morning of 10 November, it was revealed that NABU detectives had conducted searches at the homes of Tymur Mindich and then-justice minister Halushchenko (who was 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 Halushchenko as he attempted to cross the border.
Halushchenko was served with a notice of suspicion in the Midas case. He is suspected of large-scale money laundering.

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