Yermak ahead of court hearing: “I hope for fair and independent decision”
Former Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak said he expects a “fair, impartial, and independent” court decision ahead of his hearing.
He made the comment to an Ukrinform correspondent before the session of the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine.
“I hope for a fair, impartial, independent decision,” he said.
When asked by journalists what he considers a “fair and independent” ruling, Yermak replied: “Let’s see.”
As reported by Ukrinform, the High Anti-Corruption Court is scheduled to begin at 16:00 consideration of a motion to apply a preventive measure to the former Head of the Office of the President.
The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) is requesting that Yermak be placed in pre-trial detention with the alternative of bail set at UAH 180 million.
On May 11, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) notified former senior official Andriy Yermak of suspicion in the case involving the alleged laundering of UAH 460 million through the construction of luxury cottages near Kyiv.
On May 12, anti-corruption authorities also announced suspicions against six additional members of the alleged organized group, including former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov and businessman Tymur Mindich.
According to investigators, between 2021 and 2025 the suspects allegedly laundered more than UAH 460 million through the construction of a cottage complex in Kozyn, Kyiv region. The project reportedly involved four private residences with auxiliary buildings and facilities, as well as a shared spa residence, built on land plots totaling about eight hectares.
Part of the funds used for construction allegedly passed through a so-called “laundromat” controlled by a businessman who was expected to become the owner of one of the residences. The amount involved is estimated at nearly $9 million.
Law enforcement authorities claim the construction was financed in part with money obtained through alleged corruption schemes involving Energoatom, uncovered during the investigation known as “Operation Midas.”
Among those linked to the Midas case are Chernyshov and Mindich. According to investigators, Mindich left for Israel shortly before being formally notified of suspicion. NABU later submitted documents seeking to place him on an Interpol wanted list.
Ukraine’s High Anti-Corruption Court imposed a preventive measure on Chernyshov in the form of detention with the alternative of bail set at UAH 120 million, which was paid in full.