Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC), has been questioned by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) as a witness in the case concerning a back office organised by businessman Tymur Mindich, an associate of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy involved in a recent corruption scandal.

Source: the press service of the NSDC in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda

Quote: "Rustem Umierov was summoned to NABU as a witness to provide testimony in criminal proceedings opened on the grounds of interference in the work of a state official.

The conversation was constructive. Rustem Umierov answered all the investigators' questions within the limits of procedural law."

Read more: Could this be "Mindichgate"? A closer look at that friend of the president's

Details: The press service specified that the procedural action took place on 25 November. No further details were provided.

Background: NABU director Semen Kryvonos stated that the Bureau has not suspended the investigation into the Mindich case for any "geopolitical reasons", and that new materials will be published once all examinations are completed.

Read more: Mindichgate: one week on from the corruption scandal, what's going on in the government?

Previously:

• Mindich is alleged to have exerted influence over former energy minister Herman Halushchenko and former defence minister Rustem Umierov. The allegation was made by the prosecution during the hearing of a petition brought by a NABU detective seeking the detention of Ihor Myroniuk, another suspect in the investigation.
• Umierov stated that no one influenced him during his time as defence minister. He acknowledged that he met with Mindich regarding a body armour contract, but the contract was terminated because the goods did not meet the required standards.

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