Ukraine Justice Minister Suspended Amid Corruption Probe Involving State Energy Firm

WISE NEWS PRESS / KYIV, UKRAINE — Nov. 12, 2025

Ukrainian Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko has been suspended from his post as part of a major corruption investigation that also encompasses the state nuclear energy company, Energoatom.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced that the decision was made during an extraordinary government session on Wednesday morning.

Svyrydenko stated on her Twitter account: "It has been decided to suspend Herman Halushchenko from the post of Minister of Justice." She added: "By the government's decision, the performance of the minister's duties has been entrusted to Lyudmila Suhak, the Deputy Minister of Justice responsible for European integration."

Halushchenko served as Ukraine's energy minister since 2021 before being appointed as justice minister in July. He is under investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) as part of a large-scale corruption scheme covering Energoatom.

Halushchenko stated that he supported the government's decision to suspend him, adding that he had a meeting with the prime minister.

In a statement on Facebook, he said: "I completely agree. First, a political decision must be made, and only then should we deal with all the details. I am not clinging to the ministerial position and will not cling to it. I believe that suspension for the duration of the investigation is a civilized and correct course of action. I will defend myself in the legal field and prove my position."

The Ukrainian government had previously announced a decision to dissolve the supervisory board of Energoatom.

Investigation Details and Alleged Scheme Leader

On Tuesday, Ukraine's anti-corruption bureau charged eight individuals with bribery, abuse of office, and illicit enrichment. NABU also released footage showing the group discussing alleged commissions and bribes using code names and encrypted language.

According to NABU, the main organizer of the alleged corruption scheme is believed to be Timur Mindich, a former business partner of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Mindich is a co-owner of the production company Kvartal 95, which was founded by and previously partially owned by the Ukrainian President.

Anti-corruption prosecutor Serhiy Savytskyi claimed during a hearing on Tuesday that Mindich committed crimes by illegally influencing Halushchenko. NABU stated that the investigation lasted 15 months, resulting in a thousand hours of phone wiretaps and 70 raids. Halushchenko is also included in the NABU recordings.

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