Volodymyr Zelensky’s influential chief of staff has had his home and offices raided by anti-graft investigators in the latest bombshell corruption probe to rock Ukraine. In a post on Telegram Chief Ukrainian negotiator Andriy Yermak confirmed the authorities were given “full access” to his apartment, and that he is cooperating with the officers, with his lawyers present.
Yemak wrote that the “investigators are not encountering any obstacles”. He added: “For my part, I fully co-operate.” In a joint statement, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (Nabu) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (Sapo) said the searches were “authorised” and linked to an unspecified investigation.
“Nabu and Sapo are conducting investigative actions at the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine,” they said. “Investigative actions are authorised and are being carried out within the framework of an investigation.”
The Nabu did not say what the searches were in connection with. Investigators earlier this month unveiled a sweeping investigation into an alleged $100 million kickback scheme in the strategic energy sector, involving Zelenskyy’s ex-business partner.
The suspected ringleader is Timur Mindich who fled Ukraine on Monday, just before detectives from Nabu raided his home. He is believed to be in either Austria or Israel.
This has triggered widespread public anger at a time when Kyiv is under pressure to accept a US-backed peace deal in the war with Russia.
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