The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SAP) has requested the High Anti-Corruption Court (VACC) to place former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko under custody. As an alternative, prosecutors suggested a bail set at 425 million UAH.
According to SAP spokesperson Olga Postolyuk in comments to Ukrainska Pravda, VACC, and the Center for Countering Corruption, the court session for the "Midas case" commenced today, February 17, at 12:30.
The suspect, whom investigators consider a key link in the "Midas" scheme, reacted emotionally to the demand, calling the amount impossible to pay.
"This bail amount is a death sentence. I will spend years in a pre-trial detention center because neither I nor my circle has that kind of money," Halushchenko stated in the courtroom.
The "Midas" Hierarchy and "Sigismund" Callsign
During the hearing, prosecutors revealed for the first time the detailed structure of the criminal organization that operated from December 2020 to May 2025. According to the investigation, Halushchenko—known among accomplices as "Sigismund" or "The Professor"—occupied a significant but not the highest level in the hierarchy.
The management scheme was structured as follows:
- Top Level: Businessman Timur Mindich and his partner Alexander Tsukerman.
- Middle Tier: Tsukerman oversaw Igor Myronyuk.
- High-ranking Executors: Myronyuk relayed instructions to Halushchenko and Dmitry Basov.
"So, as you can see, Halushchenko was a very small part of the overall chain. Just the Minister of Energy," MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak noted ironically in his report, as cited by Hvylya.
Despite this "minor role," the financial appetite was substantial. The investigation claims the group laundered over $112 million through a trusted associate codenamed "Rocket." Personally, Halushchenko is alleged to have received more than $9 million as his "share" since December 31, 2020.
Swiss Accounts and "Wealthy Godparents"
The prosecution highlighted transactions from 2022. Records show transfers to accounts linked to the former minister: in July-August 2022 alone, hundreds of thousands of euros and Swiss francs were deposited. The latest tranche of 400,000 francs was recorded on March 4, 2025.
According to case materials, part of these funds paid for Halushchenko's children's education at the elite Swiss College Alpin Beau Soleil. In court, the former minister attempted to justify the payments by shifting financial responsibility to friends.
"Different people paid; the first year it was a godfather, then another person. I have many godparents, and they are all wealthy," Halushchenko countered, refusing to name the benefactor but noting they "hold a certain status."
Regarding accusations of installing loyal personnel (specifically in Energoatom), Halushchenko replied sharply: "And who should I appoint? A circus director?"
Offshore Funds for the Family
SAP presented a money-laundering scheme involving an offshore fund on the island of Anguilla, established in February 2021. The fund allegedly attracted $100 million in "investments," including money from the minister's family. To hide the ultimate beneficiaries, two shell companies were registered in the Marshall Islands, with ownership assigned to Halushchenko's ex-wife and four children.
Details also emerged regarding Halushchenko's attempts to return Energoatom to the list of enterprises covered by a moratorium on enforcement proceedings to preserve the "Shlahbaum" scheme.
"Sigismund Dreams of Escaping"
The prosecution provided evidence of Halushchenko's intent to flee the investigation. According to prosecutors, since the introduction of martial law, the former minister traveled abroad 58 times. Furthermore, his wife and children reside permanently outside of Ukraine.
A key piece of evidence was an intercepted conversation between suspects Alexander Tsukerman and Muzhel, dated March 2025. "Sigismund dreams of slipping away. He dreams of leaving somewhere as an ambassador," the wiretap recording revealed, with participants using "Sigismund" to refer to Halushchenko.
Scenario for the GTS Operator
The court heard new facts regarding Halushchenko's influence on the energy sector even after he transitioned to the post of Minister of Justice. Investigation found that he continued to receive reports on the affairs of the Gas TSO of Ukraine (GTS Operator) and oversaw personnel issues.
Specifically, on August 19, 2025, Halushchenko discussed the appointment of his former advisor Oksana Kryvenko to a leadership position in the state company. That same day, Kryvenko sent him her resume. By August 28, Halushchenko forwarded her a ready-made "scenario" for the appointment. However, the plan failed after the first "Midas" suspects were named in November 2025, leading to the suspension of the competition for the GTS Operator head.
Potential Penalties
Herman Halushchenko is charged with participation in a criminal organization and large-scale money laundering. He faces 7 to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
Herman Halushchenko was detained on the night of February 15 on the Kyiv-Warsaw train. NABU detectives removed him from the train during an attempt to leave the country. While VACC partially ruled the detention illegal due to procedural nuances, the former minister remains in custody pending the court's final decision.
