Euronews · Feb 16, 2026 · Collected from RSS
Months after Ukraine was rocked by a major corruption investigation into the state nuclear power company Energoatom, former energy minister Herman Halushchenko was officially charged after being detained while attempting to leave the country.
Published on 16/02/2026 - 10:22 GMT+1•Updated 10:22 Ukraine’s former energy minister Herman Halushchenko was charged with money laundering and involvement in a criminal group as part of the country’s corruption investigation around the state nuclear power company Energoatom, authorities announced on Monday. In a statement by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), it was confirmed that two anti-graft watchdogs have “expanded the circle of suspects in the Midas case”. “The former minister of energy (2021–2025) has been exposed for money laundering and participation in a criminal organisation,” the statement said. According to the investigation, which first rocked Ukraine in November, members of the criminal group initiated the registration of a fund on the island of Anguilla in February 2021. The fund aimed to raise about €118 million in "investments," with Halushchenko’s family among the "investors," the bureau said. The NABU said over €8.8 million was transferred to the fund’s accounts controlled by Halushchenko’s family. Additionally, more than 1.3 million Swiss francs (€1.8 million) and €2.4 million in cash were withdrawn and sent directly to his family in Switzerland. Part of the funds were spent on Halushchenko's children's education at top Swiss institutions and placed in the ex-wife's accounts. The remainder was allegedly deposited, "earning extra income for the family's personal use." Halushchenko served as energy minister from 2021 to 2025 and was appointed justice minister in July 2025. In November, the NABU searched properties linked to him as part of the investigation. According to NABU, the money was allegedly laundered using various methods, including cryptocurrency and "investments" in the fund. Halushchenko has yet to comment on the charges brought against him. Investigation continues Halushchenko has been investigated by the country’s anti-corruption watchdogs as part of a case involving state nuclear power company Energoatom. Eight other suspects have been charged. According to the investigation, Timur Mindich, a former close associate of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is the alleged ringleader. On Sunday, Halushchenko was detained while attempting to cross the border, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine said. “While crossing the border, NABU detectives detained a former energy minister as part of the Midas (probe)," NABU said. According to Ukrainian media outlets, the former energy minister was removed from a train and then transported to Kyiv for further questioning and investigative procedures. Halushchenko served as energy minister from 2021 to 2025 and was appointed justice minister in July 2025. In November 2025 NABU searched properties linked to him as part of the Energoatom investigation. The anti-corruption bureau reported that the group was collecting bribes from Energoatom contractors, amounting to 10-15% of each contract's value. Around $100 million in funds was laundered, according to the NABU. "In fact, the management of a strategic enterprise with an annual revenue of over €4 billion was carried out not by officials, but by outsiders who had no formal authority," the NABU said in a statement in November. The allegation is that they received payments from contractors building fortifications against Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, while millions of Ukrainians across the country are suffering from power outages and blackouts after Russian attacks. The investigation is ongoing and NABU said it is cooperating with 15 countries worldwide.