Former Ukrainian minister arrested attempting to flee country

Herman Halushchenko, former Ukrainian Minister of Energy and ex-Justice Minister dismissed amid a corruption scandal, was detained while attempting to cross the border.

Halushchenko was removed from a train on the night of February 15, Caliber.Az reports via Ukrainian media. 

The ex-minister is implicated in the case involving businessman Tymur Mindich.

Tymur Mindich is a Ukrainian businessman and co‑owner of the Kvartal 95 production company who became the central figure in Operation Midas, a major anti‑corruption probe by the National Anti‑Corruption Bureau of Ukraine into alleged systematic kickbacks and embezzlement worth roughly $100 million in the energy sector, notably involving state nuclear operator Energoatom.

Investigators allege Mindich organised a network that pressured contractors to pay unlawful fees and controlled influence over appointments and financial flows in state energy procurement; five suspects have been detained while Mindich fled Ukraine just before police raids in November 2025.

Ukraine’s anti‑corruption agencies have sought his extradition from Israel and placed him on an international wanted list, and sanctions were imposed on him by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy amid the ongoing case.

Former Minister Herman Halushchenko himself was caught up in the investigation: his home was searched by NABU agents as part of the same probe, and the Ukrainian parliament voted to dismiss him from the justice ministry in November 2025 as the scandal expanded.

By Jeyhun Aghazada