Ukrainian State Secretary in custody
In light of Ukraine's pursuit of EU membership, the country is taking more decisive action against corruption. The Ukrainian security service SBU has arrested a high-ranking government official suspected of accepting bribes.
A high-ranking government official in Ukraine has been arrested on suspicion of corruption. According to the SBU, the Deputy Energy Minister was taken into custody on suspicion of accepting half a million US dollars (around 460,000 euros) in bribes. The SBU described the case as the "uncovering of a large-scale corruption scheme." The official, identified by Ukrainian media as Oleksandr Cheilo, allegedly accepted bribes from western Ukrainian mining companies to facilitate the transfer of materials from 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.
Fighting corruption is one of the key demands from Brussels to Kyiv in the EU membership 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 government's dismissal of the Deputy Energy Minister underscores Ukraine's commitment to combating corruption. The arrest and allegations against the minister highlight the profound issue of corruption in Ukraine, a challenge the country must address to meet EU membership requirements.
