Ukraine arrests former top Foreign Ministry official over wartime aid fraud

Ukraine’s High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) has ordered the detention of former Foreign Ministry State Secretary Oleksandr Bankov over allegations of embezzling funds provided by foreign donors to support Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The court on August 3 set bail at 10 million hryvnias ($223,000), allowing Bankov to be released if the payment is made, according to Suspilne, which reported from the courtroom.

The case involves the alleged misappropriation of more than 37 million hryvnias ($826,000) that had been donated by foreign citizens and organisations to assist Ukraine during the early stages of the war. Investigators have identified Bankov as the alleged organiser of the scheme.

The decision followed several hearings held on July 29 and 31 to determine the appropriate pre-trial measure.

Prosecutors from the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office had requested that Bankov remain in custody with a bail option of 15 million hryvnias ($335,000). His lawyers argued for a more lenient measure, calling the proposed bail amount excessive.

The court ultimately reduced the requested bail by 5 million hryvnias.

Ukrainian authorities announced on July 27 that they had uncovered an organised criminal group allegedly led by a former Foreign Ministry State Secretary accused of diverting funds intended for humanitarian support at the beginning of Russia’s invasion.

The Foreign Ministry said the alleged wrongdoing was identified during an internal audit.

By Aghakazim Guliyev