Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Bureau Seeks Extradition of Businessman Mindich from Israel

Extradition Request for Timur Mindich

According to Главком: Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) is preparing to formally request the extradition of businessman Timur Mindich and other suspects from Israel in connection with the 'Midas' criminal case. NABU Director Semen Kryvonos announced this plan during a press conference on February 10. The extradition request is currently being drafted, while the pre-trial investigation into the case continues. This move underscores Ukraine's ongoing efforts to pursue high-profile corruption suspects abroad, even after Russia's full-scale invasion.

In November 2025, Mindich was formally declared a suspect in absentia for alleged corruption involving the state enterprise 'Energoatom'. He has also been placed on Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council sanctions list. As part of the proceedings, a significant sum of money posted as bail for one of the suspects has been frozen. Mindich is an Israeli citizen and has been residing in Israel since leaving Ukraine.

Significance of the Extradition Effort

Semen Kryvonos emphasized that 'the process is ongoing,' noting that the extradition request for the suspects will be submitted as part of this criminal proceeding and sent to Israel once finalized. It is known that Mindich maintains a friendly relationship with [businessman] Zuckerman; they traveled together to Israel in the autumn of 2019 and to Austria in the winter of 2020. On February 25, 2022, Zuckerman's son David left Ukraine by car with Mindich's family. Later, in late April 2022, Mindich and Zuckerman returned to Ukraine together on the Warsaw-Kyiv train.

This extradition request represents a critical step in Ukraine's fight against corruption, particularly in investigations concerning state-owned enterprises. The 'Midas' case has attracted considerable public attention due to its links to potential abuses by high-ranking officials. A successful extradition of Mindich could set a significant precedent for similar international cases, thereby strengthening public trust in Ukraine's anti-corruption institutions.