Ukraine probes former presidential chief of staff for money laundering

Ukraine's Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office announced on May 11 that it has uncovered an organized criminal group involved in money laundering, in a joint operation with the National Anti-Corruption Bureau. The group allegedly includes Andriy Yermak, the former head of the Presidential Office. According to the prosecutor's office, the organization is accused of laundering 460 million hryvnias (approximately $10.46 million) through a luxury construction project near the capital, Kyiv. Prosecutors have issued a notice of suspicion against Yermak, and an urgent investigation is currently underway. Yermak, 54, has long served as the head of the Presidential Office and led Ukraine's negotiating delegation. He is known as a close aide and key foreign policy advisor to President Zelenskyy.