"Midas" case: former energy minister notified of suspicion (PHOTO)

NABU and SAPO have expanded the circle of suspects in the "Midas" case. A former Minister of Energy (2021–2025) has been exposed for money laundering and participation in a criminal organization.

According to the investigation, in February 2021, on the island of Anguilla (a self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom), members of the criminal organization uncovered by NABU and SAPO in November 2025 registered a fund intended to attract approximately USD 100 million in "investments."

The fund was headed by a long-time associate of the criminal organization’s members — a citizen of the Seychelles and Saint Kitts and Nevis — who professionally provided services for laundering criminal proceeds.

Among the fund’s "investors" was the suspect’s family.

To conceal his involvement, two companies were established in the Marshall Islands and integrated into the structure of a trust registered in Saint Kitts and Nevis. The former official’s ex-wife and four children were listed as the companies’ beneficiaries.

These companies became "investors" in the fund (through the purchase of its shares), while members of the criminal organization, acting in the suspect’s interests, began making transfers to the fund’s accounts opened in three Swiss banks.

Materials obtained in Ukraine and through international cooperation procedures with competent authorities of several countries indicate that during the suspect’s tenure in office, through his trusted associate known as Rocket, the criminal organization received more than USD 112 million in cash from illegal activities in the energy sector.

These funds were laundered through various financial instruments, including cryptocurrency and "investments" in the fund.

It has been established that more than USD 7.4 million was transferred to the fund’s accounts managed by the suspect’s family. An additional over CHF 1.3 million and EUR 2.4 million were withdrawn in cash and transferred directly to the family in Switzerland.

Part of these funds was used to pay for the children’s education at prestigious institutions in Switzerland and deposited into the ex-wife’s accounts. The remaining funds were placed in deposit accounts, generating additional income for the family, which they used for personal expenses.

On 15 February 2026, while attempting to leave the territory of Ukraine, the former high-ranking official was detained by NABU detectives.

He has been served with a suspicion under Part 2 of Article 255 and Part 3 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The investigation is ongoing. Within the framework of investigating these facts, NABU is cooperating with 15 countries worldwide.