The High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine has ordered the arrest of Oleksii Chernyshov, formerly deputy prime minister, minister for communities and territories, head of Naftogaz Ukraine and head of Kyiv Oblast State Administration, setting bail at UAH 51 million (US$1.2 million).

Source: Hromadske, a Ukrainian public broadcaster; Anti-Corruption Action Centre

Details: Chernyshov has been remanded in custody for 60 days, until 16 January, with bail set at UAH 51.6 million (US$ 1.2 million).

Background:

• An investigation found that Chernyshov was among those who visited a "laundromat" – a location used to launder money obtained by criminal means – controlled by the ringleader in the kickback scheme at Energoatom.
• Chernyshov has denied any involvement in the Energoatom corruption scheme.
• He insists that he knows nothing about the codename "Che Guevara" that other suspects in the case allegedly used to refer to him.
• Chernyshov declined to answer when journalists asked whether he is acquainted with businessman Tymur Mindich, who is suspected by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine of orchestrating the embezzlement scheme at Energoatom.
• Commenting on his possible involvement in the construction of four mansions outside Kyiv, a project now run by his business partner, Liliia Lysenko, Chernyshov stressed that he was in business before entering public office and said he had declared all his assets.

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