Deputy energy minister detained on suspicion of $500,000 bribe – video, photo

An incumbent deputy energy minister was exposed for taking a $500,000 bribe, reported the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office.

For in-depth analysis and longer stories, follow us on LinkedIn

The government official allegedly promised to give permission for the removal of mining equipment from the front-line area for money.

The surname of the detainee was not indicated. According to LIGA.net's sources in the law enforcement agencies, the official in question is Oleksandr Kheylo

According to the investigation, the top official acted in collusion with a proxy, a head of an energy company from Mykolaiv Oblast and a head of one of the state-owned coal enterprises in Donetsk Oblast.

He allegedly offered the head of a coal enterprise located in the western region to provide money for the transfer of coal mining equipment from the frontline area to storage with the possibility of use.

In fact, according to the law enforcement officers, the scheme stipulated the evacuation of unique equipment from the combat zone and its use in the mines of the western region.

According to the agreement, the money was to be transferred in five installments — $100,000 at each meeting.

During the transfer of the third tranche to one of the assistants of the government official, he was exposed in the act.

All four participants of the arrangement were detained, they were charged under Part 4 of Art. 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (receiving a bribe in a particularly large amount or by an official who occupies a particularly responsible position).

The Ministry of Energy reacted to the detention of a government official and stated that they are closely cooperating with "the SBU, NABU and all law enforcement agencies to completely eradicate corruption in the energy industry and prevent corruption from occurring in the future."

"The Ministry of Energy immediately submitted a request to the Cabinet of Ministers for the dismissal of the specified official," the ministry said in a statement.

On Monday, the Cabinet of Ministers passed an order on the dismissal of Oleksandr Valeriyovych Kheylo from the position of deputy minister of energy of Ukraine, said the representative of the government in the Verkhovna Rada, Taras Melnychuk.