The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has accused former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko of attempting to flee the country. His legal representatives argue that the accusation lacks merit, citing Halushchenko’s consistent return to Ukraine following numerous international trips.
According to Halushchenko’s lawyer, the former minister has made 59 trips abroad and returned each time, which they argue contradicts any claims of an intent to evade legal responsibilities. “It is difficult to interpret systematic returns home as evidence of a tendency to flee,” the lawyer stated.
The situation escalated when Halushchenko was detained at the Yahodyn border crossing while attempting to leave Ukraine. The lawyer emphasized that this incident demonstrates Halushchenko’s willingness to comply with legal processes, noting that he crossed the border openly and legally, using his own documents.
“An open and lawful exit is an exercise of rights, not an attempt to flee,” the lawyer asserted. They further contended that the evidence presented in the case lacks objective data indicating a genuine intention to avoid investigation or trial.
Halushchenko’s defense team criticized the court’s conclusions, arguing that they are based on assumptions that do not align with the principles of risk individualization and standards set by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The lawyer remarked that if legal border crossings are interpreted as rehearsals for fleeing, it sets a troubling precedent.
In a broader context, it is noteworthy that Ukraine has recently been highlighted for its numerous violations of the European Convention on Human Rights. Of the 164 judgments issued by the Court against Ukraine, 160 found violations, with only four cases where no violations were identified.
To recap, Halushchenko was detained on February 15 by NABU detectives and prosecutors from the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) during his attempt to board a train to leave the country.
The case against former Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko raises questions about legal interpretations of travel and intent. His defense argues that consistent returns to Ukraine undermine claims of flight risk, while broader concerns about human rights violations in Ukraine persist.