The legal team representing former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko is preparing to appeal a recent decision by the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) to extend his detention. The defense argues that the prosecution has failed to provide direct evidence of wrongdoing and is merely simulating activity in the investigation.
According to Halushchenko’s lawyer, the prosecution did not present sufficient grounds for maintaining such a severe preventive measure. The defense believes there are no real risks justifying Halushchenko’s continued detention in pre-trial custody.
“We clearly understand that the prosecution has not provided the court with sufficient evidence of real risks that would justify such a strict preventive measure. The risks exist only in the imagination of the prosecution, but not in the case materials,” stated lawyer Tiryzykyan.
The defense intends to push for a change in the preventive measure to a less severe option. Human rights advocates are preparing the necessary motions and will contest the court’s decision through the appeals process.
“It is important to understand: the fight is just beginning. We have a clear legal position and are confident that we will prove the unfounded nature of the suspicion in further court proceedings. We are working systematically and moving confidently towards a just resolution,” the lawyer added.
The defense has also criticized the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) for its “extremely passive” behavior over the past two months, claiming that active investigative actions have not been conducted and that the new evidence presented is merely procedural gymnastics.
“What the prosecution is attempting to present as new evidence obtained during the two-month pre-trial investigation actually resembles procedural gymnastics. NABU is effectively substituting evidence with imitation: instead of primary materials, we are seeing inspection protocols… of other protocols. This means that the actual events, documents, or actions are not being investigated, only their secondary descriptions, which are disconnected from context,” emphasized Tiryzykyan.
Furthermore, the defense highlights the absence of any direct evidence linking Halushchenko to the alleged offenses. Tiryzykyan noted that there are no properly recorded procedural documents indicating his involvement, nor are there witness testimonies directly confirming his connection.
Halushchenko is implicated in a criminal case known as “Midas,” which concerns a large-scale money laundering scheme. The investigation alleges operations through offshore structures and an investment fund linked to the former official’s family.
On February 15, NABU detectives and SAP prosecutors detained Halushchenko on a train while he attempted to cross the border. The following day, he was officially informed of the suspicion within the “Midas” case.
On February 17, the HACC imposed the first preventive measure—detention for 60 days with an alternative bail set at 200 million UAH. On April 15, the court extended the detention for an additional two months, maintaining the bail amount.
Halushchenko and his defense team have consistently denied all charges, labeling the suspicion as unfounded and emphasizing the lack of direct evidence linking the former minister to any illegal activities. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.
Former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko's defense is set to appeal a court's decision to extend his detention, arguing the prosecution lacks direct evidence. The ongoing investigation centers on allegations of a money laundering scheme linked to Halushchenko's family.