Former Ukrainian energy minister German Galushchenko detained while trying to leave the country amid ongoing ‘Midas’ corruption probe.

KYIV: Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) has arrested the country’s former energy minister as he attempted to cross the state border.

The detention is part of the ongoing ‘Midas’ investigation into a massive money-laundering conspiracy within the nation’s energy sector.

German Galushchenko (pic), who served as energy minister last year, was detained on Sunday. He was one of several ministers who resigned in November 2025 when the scandal was first unveiled by anti-corruption investigators.

NABU stated that initial investigative proceedings are ongoing and are being carried out in accordance with the law and court sanctions.

The bureau alleges that plotters orchestrated a USD 100 million kickback scheme to siphon off funds. Investigators believe the conspiracy was orchestrated by an ally of President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The scandal triggered public anger, erupting at a time of widespread power outages caused by relentless Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.

NABU has stated that Galushchenko received “personal benefits” as a result of the scheme. Ukraine has long been plagued by systemic corruption, with cracking down on graft seen as a key requirement for its bid to join the European Union.

 The Sun Malaysia