International

Ukraine Minister Jailed in Land Grab Scandal

A Ukrainian court ordered the pre-trial detention of Agriculture Minister Mykola Solsky on Friday.

Press service of the Ministry of Agriculture of Ukraine
Sursa: Press service of the Ministry of Agriculture of Ukraine

Solsky faces allegations of involvement in the illegal acquisition of state-owned land valued at approximately $7 million, according to Reuters. The charges stem from events that transpired between 2017 and 2021, predating his appointment as minister in March 2022.

Solsky has submitted his resignation, but he remains in office until parliament formally approves it. He is the first known minister under President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to be implicated in a corruption case. The judge has mandated Solsky's detention until June 24. During a court hearing on Thursday, prosecutors argued that the charges against Solsky carry a potential maximum sentence of 12 years in prison.

Mykola Solsky, 44, has played a central role in Ukraine's efforts to maintain its grain industry amidst Russia's full-scale invasion. The invasion has disrupted Black Sea export routes and resulted in the planting of mines on agricultural land.

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau alleges a scheme involving the acquisition of state-owned land valued at 291 million hryvnia (approximately $7.35 million) and an attempt to acquire additional land worth 190 million hryvnia. Prosecutors allege that the scheme involved the illegal transfer of land from two state-owned companies to war veterans, with the expectation that the veterans would subsequently lease the land to private companies.

Solsky and his lawyer both denied any involvement in the alleged scheme during Thursday's court hearing.

Kyiv's application for membership in the European Union underscores the significant role the Ukrainian agriculture minister will play in negotiations aimed at integrating the country's vast grain industry into the 27-member bloc. President Zelenskyy has consistently advocated for a zero-tolerance approach to corruption, and last year replaced his defence minister following corruption allegations linked to the defence ministry.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

Bogdan Nigai

Bogdan Nigai

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