A court session has commenced in Ukraine’s High Anti-Corruption Court regarding former Presidential Office chief Andriy Yermak, who is facing serious allegations. Yermak expressed his hope for “fair and honest justice” as he arrived at the hearing, promising to provide further comments afterward.
The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office has indicated that it will seek to detain Yermak, proposing a bail amount of 180 million hryvnias as an alternative to custody.
On May 11, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) announced the dismantling of an organized group allegedly involved in laundering 460 million hryvnias through luxury construction projects near Kyiv. Investigators claim that from 2021 to 2025, the suspects laundered funds by developing a cottage community in Kozyn, covering approximately eight hectares. This project included four private residences and a shared spa area.
Yermak is reportedly one of the key figures in this case, alongside six other individuals, including a former deputy prime minister and a businessman linked to a criminal organization uncovered in a special operation in November 2025.
Following the suspicion announcement on May 11, Yermak refrained from commenting extensively, stating, “I will not comment on anything right now.” When asked about his association with the cooperative “Dynasty,” he clarified, “I own no houses; I have only one apartment and one car, which you have seen.”
Yermak’s lawyer, Ihor Fomin, denied any involvement of his client in the alleged laundering activities, suggesting that the situation is a result of public pressure.
In November 2025, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Yermak’s resignation amid an ongoing investigation. This followed a search conducted by NABU at Yermak’s office, although specific details of the case were not disclosed.
After stepping down, Yermak stated his intention to join the front lines and expressed readiness for any consequences, asserting his integrity as a “decent and honest person.” Meanwhile, MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak indicated that Yermak was referenced as “Ali Baba” in NABU recordings related to the “Midas” case.
The head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, Oleksandr Klymenko, confirmed the existence of this codename in the recordings, stating that “Ali Baba” was involved in directing efforts to undermine NABU detectives and may have attempted to compromise the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office in July 2025, which was thwarted by “token protests.”
Andriy Yermak, the former head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, is facing serious corruption charges as court proceedings begin. The case involves allegations of laundering substantial sums through luxury construction projects, with Yermak asserting his innocence and readiness to face the legal process.