The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) today issued a joint statement. They confirmed searching the private residence of presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak.
The joint statement added that the search was "authorized" and linked to an undisclosed investigation.
Yermak confirmed his home was being searched, stating his full cooperation. "Investigators encountered no obstacles. They were granted full access to the apartment, and my lawyers were present, interacting with law enforcement officials," he said.
This development follows the announcement two weeks ago by NABU and SAPO. They launched a large-scale investigation targeting irregularities at the state nuclear power company Energoatom. NABU reported uncovering a "high-level criminal organization" that allegedly accepted bribes totaling 100 million USD from contractors with Energoatom agreements.
 |
Ukraine's Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak in Kiev in 1/2024. *Photo: Reuters*
The Kyiv Independent reported Yermak is under investigation for this case. A law enforcement source informed the news outlet that one of the luxury homes near Kiev, funded through the Energoatom corruption scheme, was intended for Yermak.
Previously, Ukrainska Pravda on 24/11 cited law enforcement sources stating Yermak's involvement in a corruption scandal. Investigators reportedly referred to him as "Ali Baba".
Ukraine's top anti-corruption prosecutor, Oleksandr Klymenko, alleged in early November that "Ali Baba is holding meetings and assigning tasks to law enforcement agencies to prosecute NABU investigators and anti-corruption prosecutors".
Daria Kaleniuk, executive director of the Center for Anti-Corruption Action, noted that searches typically precede charges against potential suspects. "Therefore, we can expect charges against Andriy Yermak today or very soon," she told the Kyiv Independent.
Chief of staff Andriy Yermak, 54, was a close friend of President Volodymyr Zelensky before the Ukrainian leader began his political career. He also helped guide Zelensky's 2019 presidential campaign.
Although Yermak has not been named a suspect, many opposition lawmakers and some members of Zelensky's own party have called for his dismissal. However, the Ukrainian leader has refused. He even appointed Yermak to lead Ukraine's delegation in negotiations with the US in Switzerland on 23/11.
The home search could heighten tensions between Zelensky and his political rivals. This comes as Ukraine faces growing pressure to accept a peace agreement with Russia.
Viktor Shlinchak, a political analyst at the World Policy Institute in Kiev, described the search as a "Black Friday" for Yermak. He suggested Zelensky might be forced to dismiss his adviser. "It seems we may soon have another chief negotiator," Shlinchak wrote on Facebook.
The Office of the President of Ukraine and Zelensky's press service have not responded to requests for comment regarding Yermak.
Thanh Tam (According to Kyiv Independent, Reuters, CNN)
