Zelenskyy's former aide Yermak vows to stay in Ukraine and continue his work on front line

Andrii Yermak, the former head of the President's Office suspected of laundering money via a high-end housing construction project, has said there are no grounds for his notice of suspicion, and that he will continue to practise law and travel to the front line to work with soldiers there.

Source: Yermak on Telegram

Quote: "Now that I have read the notice of suspicion for the first time, I can repeat what I said to journalists: it is unfounded.

As a lawyer with more than 30 years' experience, I have always been guided by the law. I will now defend my rights, my name and my reputation exclusively within the framework of the laws of Ukraine. I am open to all procedural actions."

Details: Yermak added that in recent months, there has been "unprecedented public pressure on law enforcement agencies" for them to issue him with a notice of suspicion.

Quote: "I am convinced that the investigation must be independent of political statements, media campaigns or any other forms of influence.

I'm staying in Ukraine and will continue to practise law. I plan to visit soldiers on the front line, deal with their queries, and support our defenders and former prisoners of war and their families. Because this is my country and my duty."

Background:

• On 12 May, the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine began a hearing to select a pre-trial restriction for Andrii Yermak. The hearing will resume at 12:00 on 13 May.
• The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) conducted investigative actions in respect of Andrii Yermak on the evening of 11 May.
• Later, Yermak was formally served with a notice of suspicion in a case concerning the alleged laundering of UAH 460 million (around US$10.5 million) during the construction of the high-end Dynastiia ("Dynasty") housing complex in Kozyn, near Kyiv. According to investigators, some of the funds used for the construction may have originated from corruption schemes at Energoatom.
• The prosecution asked the court to remand Andrii Yermak in custody with the option of bail in the amount of UAH 180 million (about US$4 million).

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