Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities have detained a former energy minister in connection with a sweeping investigation that ignited a political crisis last November over high-level graft, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) announced on Sunday.
The probe, known as the “Midas” case, revolves around an alleged $100 million kickback scheme at Ukraine’s state atomic agency, implicating senior officials and business figures, including a former associate of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
“Today, NABU detectives detained a former minister of energy while crossing the state border as part of the ‘Midas’ case,” the agency said in a statement. “Priority investigative actions are ongoing and are being conducted in full compliance with the law.” NABU did not disclose the identity of the detained minister but indicated that further details would be released in due course.
The scandal has already forced the resignation of Ukraine’s previous two energy ministers and Zelenskiy’s former chief of staff, though all have denied any wrongdoing.
Combating corruption remains a central pillar of Ukraine’s reform agenda, particularly as the country seeks European Union membership, which requires significant progress in eliminating entrenched graft.
In recent weeks, Ukrainian authorities have also pursued cases against lawmakers, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, and a former presidential adviser on various corruption charges, underscoring the government’s intensified crackdown on high-level corruption.
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