Prosecutors Seek $11 Million Bail for Ex-Energy Minister Galushchenko

The Case Against Herman Galushchenko

According to ХВИЛЯ: Ukraine's Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office has petitioned the High Anti-Corruption Court to impose a pre-trial detention measure on former Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko, either as custody or a bail set at 425 million Ukrainian hryvnias (approximately $11 million USD). The court hearing in the 'Midas' case commenced on February 17 at 12:30 PM. Galushchenko faces charges of participating in a criminal organization and money laundering.

Authorities detained Galushchenko on the night of February 14-15 aboard a Kyiv-Warsaw train. According to prosecutors, the criminal organization he allegedly participated in operated from December 2020 until May 2025. Within the group, Galushchenko was known by the aliases 'Sigismund' or 'The Professor'. The investigation reveals that through a trusted associate with the call sign 'Rocket', the group laundered over $112 million, with Galushchenko personally receiving more than $9 million since December 31, 2020.

Financial Transactions and Allegations

During July and August 2022, hundreds of thousands of euros and Swiss francs were deposited into accounts linked to Galushchenko. The most recent transaction, for 400,000 Swiss francs, was recorded on March 4, 2025. A portion of these funds was used to pay tuition for Galushchenko's children at the Swiss boarding school, College Alpin Beau Soleil. Prosecutors note that an offshore fund was established in Anguilla in February 2021, attracting $100 million in investments. Furthermore, two shell companies registered in the Marshall Islands list Galushchenko's ex-wife and four children as their owners.

Since the imposition of martial law, Galushchenko has traveled abroad 58 times, while his wife and children reside permanently outside Ukraine. An intercepted conversation between Oleksandr Zuckerman and Muzhel is dated March 2025. Records show that on August 19, 2025, Galushchenko discussed the appointment of Oksana Kryvenko to a position at the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (GTSOU), and on August 28, he sent her a prepared script for the appointment process. The competition for the head of GTSOU was halted in November 2025.

Galushchenko faces a potential prison sentence of 7 to 12 years with confiscation of property. The High Anti-Corruption Court partially ruled his detention unlawful but ordered him to remain in custody. In his comments, Galushchenko stated that the bail amount is effectively a verdict, as he does not have access to such a sum, nor does his immediate circle. He acknowledged having wealthy acquaintances but did not specify who might assist. In the context of the allegations about appointments, he rhetorically asked:

“Who am I supposed to appoint? A circus director?”

Herman Galushchenko

This high-profile case continues to draw significant public attention in Ukraine, given the seriousness of the charges and their potential implications for a former senior official. It underscores the ongoing challenges of corruption within state institutions and the critical importance of judicial independence and transparency. The outcome of this proceeding is being closely watched as a test of Ukraine's anti-corruption reforms during a period of national crisis.