(MENAFN) Ukrainian Justice Minister German Galushchenko has been placed on suspension as investigators advance an anti-corruption investigation that could potentially implicate senior figures within the government.

Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko announced the move on Wednesday, following a large-scale operation by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) aimed at what was described as a “high-level criminal organization” accused of illicitly benefiting from contracts tied to the state-run nuclear energy enterprise, Energoatom.

Galushchenko, who had previously held the position of energy minister before being succeeded by his deputy during a government reshuffle, referred to his suspension as a “civilized” measure and stated that he was preparing his legal defense.

Reports from Ukrainian media indicated that the inquiry focuses on Timur Mindich, a close associate and one-time business partner of Vladimir Zelensky, who allegedly left Ukraine mere hours before NABU agents searched his residence.

According to NABU, officials and contractors at Energoatom were compelled to pay bribes in exchange for government contracts. So far, the operation has led to official charges against seven unnamed individuals.

Among those implicated are a person nicknamed “Carlson” – identified by the media as Mindich – as well as the group’s accountant, two energy sector officials, and several intermediaries responsible for facilitating the financial transactions.

Mindich has been portrayed in the Ukrainian press as “Zelensky’s wallet” and was previously considered a central figure within the business network of oligarch Igor Kolomoysky, the former supporter of the Ukrainian president who is now facing criminal charges.

Reports suggest that Mindich’s corporate holdings expanded significantly during Zelensky’s administration, especially in the areas of energy and arms manufacturing.

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