SBU detains Deputy Energy Minister on $500 thousand bribe charge
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The Security Service (SBU) and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) detained the Deputy Energy Minister on suspicion of receiving half a million dollars bribe, the SBU reported on Aug. 12.
Updated at 10:40 am. NV law enforcement sources indicate Oleksandr Heylo, Deputy Energy Minister, as a suspect in this case.
The corruption scheme was exposed with the assistance of the Energy Minister, the SBU said.
Deputy Minister promised the managers of the state-owned enterprises of the Lviv-Volyn coal basin to hand over unique and scarce equipment from the mines of the Pokrovsk district, Donetsk Oblast, the investigation revealed.
Industry's Representatives turned to the Deputy Energy Minister in the spring of 2024 to obtain permission to evacuate equipment from the combat zone.
The top-official began to demand money for the equipment removal, the SBU reported.
He involved a private energy trader, the head of an energy company from Mykolaiv Oblast, and the head of a mining enterprise from Donetsk Oblast in the scheme. Bribes were transferred through accomplices.
The funds were to be transferred in five installments of $100,000 at each meeting, NABU added.
Those involved were caught "red-handed" at the third "tranche" transfer.
Detainees were charged under Part 4 of Art. 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (acceptance of an offer, promise or receipt of an illegal benefit by an official). Perpetrators face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
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