Ukraine suspends Cabinet minister as corruption scandal shakes wartime govt

Ukraine suspended a Cabinet minister on Nov 12 pending an investigation into an alleged US$100 million (S$130 million) energy procurement kickback scheme, as public anger over corruption shakes faith in the wartime government.

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The anti-corruption authorities said this week they had detained five people and identified two others still at large, suspected of involvement in the alleged scheme to control procurement at nuclear agency Energoatom and other state enterprises.

Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said Justice Minister German Galushchenko, who had previously served as energy minister, would be suspended during the investigation. Mr Galushchenko has not been identified as one of the seven suspects announced this week, but one of his advisers has been.

Mr Galushchenko said on Facebook he supported his suspension as "a civilised and appropriate scenario" and vowed to defend himself, without sharing more details of the probe.