Particle.news

Ukraine Charges Ex–Energy Minister After Border Detention in $100 Million ‘Midas’ Probe

Prosecutors accuse him of laundering Energoatom kickbacks through offshore structures to family accounts.

Overview

  • NABU detained the former minister on Feb. 15 at the state border, with Ukrainian media identifying him as German (Herman) Halushchenko who was removed from a train while attempting to leave the country.
  • On Feb. 16, anti-corruption prosecutors charged him with money laundering and participation in a criminal organization tied to the Energoatom kickback scheme.
  • Investigators allege the use of offshore vehicles, including Marshall Islands companies within a St. Kitts and Nevis trust and an Anguilla fund, to route illicit proceeds.
  • NABU says more than $7.4 million flowed to a family‑managed fund and that over 1.3 million Swiss francs and 2.4 million euros were delivered in cash to his family in Switzerland, including payments linked to children’s education.
  • Authorities describe a roughly $100 million scheme extracting 10–15% kickbacks from energy contracts, and say cross‑border asset tracing is underway with cooperation spanning about a dozen countries.