Billionaire arrested in Ukraine, accused of fraud
Court gave bail option for 115 crores; supported Zelensky in the election Amidst the ongoing war with Russia, the Ukrainian court on Saturday ordered the arrest of a billionaire there. According to CNN report, this billionaire named Ihor Kolomoisky has been accused of fraud. He will be kept in custody till October 31. Kolomoisky is considered a supporter of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.
Bhavika Nandwana
Follow Us
The court has admitted that between 2013 and 2020, Kolomoisky got crores of rupees earned through illegal means legalized through banks under his control in foreign countries. According to reports, the court has also given the option to Kolomoisky to get bail by paying Rs 115 crore. However, in case of bail, Kolomoisky will not be allowed to leave the place where he is living. He will have to surrender his passport and also join the interrogation.
Who is billionaire Kolomoisky...
Kolomoisky is a well-known billionaire from Ukraine. Who has business related to media and banking. He is one of the richest people in Ukraine. When Zelensky contested the presidential election in 2019, Kolomoisky supported him.
From 2021, America's sanctions are imposed on it. He was accused of taking advantage of his position. After the arrest, Zelensky, without naming Kolomoisky, said that I thank the officials who are solving corruption-related cases one after another. Actually, for the last few months, Zelensky has been taking action on corruption cases. During the elections he had promised to eliminate corruption from the country.
Since the start of the war, Zelensky has dismissed many of his own ministers on corruption charges. These include Ukraine's Deputy Infrastructure Minister, Deputy Defense Minister Yacheslav Shapovalov. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has also been accused of corruption. However, no action has been taken against them till now. Zelensky has also dismissed dozens of officials.
Corruption in military recruitment during the war in Ukraine
Amid the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky has dismissed all the heads of army recruitment centres. According to Reuters, these 33 officers had taken bribes from people to help them leave the country. In fact, with the beginning of the war in February last year, a ban was imposed on those men who are capable of fighting in Ukraine from leaving the country.
Men in Ukraine are getting their false medical reports made. In these he has been shown unfit for war. According to reports, this scheme was running in 11 areas of Ukraine including the capital Kiev. Police have raided more than 100 places including Kiev, Odessa, Lviv where fake medical certificates were being made.
Ukraine ranks 116th out of 180 countries in terms of corruption
Despite a consistent crackdown on corruption, Ukraine is ranked 116th out of 180 countries in the International Corruption Index. According to a poll conducted in June, 77% of Ukrainian citizens believe that corruption is one of the biggest problems in the country.
