The NABU and the SAPO are conducting an operation to expose a major corruption scheme in the strategic state sector of energy.

According to the investigation, the criminal organization systematically received illicit benefits from contractors of Energoatom in the range of 10 % to 15 % of contract values.

Contractors were forced to pay kick-backs to avoid payment blocking or to retain supplier status. Without payment — the barrier on financial operations was applied to them.

The leader of the group involved: 

•  a former deputy head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine, who later became advisor to the Minister of Energy; 

• a former law-enforcement officer who had served as executive director for physical protection and security at the energy company.

Journalist Oleh Novikov reports that this case currently involves searches of the co-owner of studio “Kvartal 95 Studio”, Tymur Mindich, the Minister of Justice Herman Halushchenko (formerly the Minister of Energy) and others.