Ukrainian government official arrested on suspicion of corruption
A high-ranking government official has been arrested in Ukraine on suspicion of corruption. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported that the Deputy Energy Minister was taken into custody on suspicion of accepting a $500,000 bribe (approximately €460,000).
The SBU described the case as "a large-scale corruption scheme." According to the agency, the official, identified by Ukrainian media as Oleksandr Cheilo, was allegedly taking bribes from western Ukrainian mining companies to facilitate the transfer of materials from frontline eastern Ukrainian mines to the west of the country. He was reportedly caught red-handed along with three alleged accomplices.
The suspects face up to 12 years in prison and the seizure of their assets. The government announced the dismissal of the deputy minister.
The fight against corruption is one of the key demands from Brussels to Kyiv in the EU accession talks. Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, several corruption scandals have been uncovered in the country, including in the Defense and Agriculture ministries.
The official under investigation, Oleksandr Cheilo, has Russian origins, as reported by some media outlets. Despite Russia's denial of involvement, the corruption case in Ukraine highlights the complexities of the regional political landscape.
