Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities said on Monday they had carried out searches related to the head of the presidential administration Andriy Yermak, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Yermak posted a message on „Telegram“, in which he said that investigators were searching his home and that he was cooperating fully. „Investigative authorities are not encountering any obstacles. I am cooperating fully“, he said.
The Ukrainian website „Ukrainska Pravda“ initially reported that about ten investigators had been spotted in the Kiev area, where most of the state institutions. It is unclear whether Yermak's offices were also searched.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) confirmed that they were conducting investigative actions in connection with Yermak. "Investigative actions have been approved and are being conducted as part of an investigation. Details will be announced at a later stage," the joint statement said.
Earlier this month, anti-corruption authorities launched an investigation into the energy sector into an alleged scheme to embezzle $100 million through transactions involving Ukraine's national nuclear power company, Energoatom. The scheme involved former senior officials and a former business partner of President Volodymyr Zelensky - Timur Mindych, co-owner of Studio Kvartal 95, where Zelensky began his career. Mindych has since left the country shortly before the investigation was to be made public on November 10.
It has not been confirmed whether the investigation is related to the current corruption scandal. Ermak has not been named as a suspect, but opposition lawmakers and members of Zelensky's party have called for his dismissal.
The searches come at a time of heightened domestic political tensions in Ukraine and are adding to tensions over a U.S.-backed peace proposal with Russia, Reuters notes.