• Justice Minister German Galushchenko suspended amid a corruption probe involving a $100 million scheme.
• Galushchenko previously served as energy minister and is accused of benefiting from illegal financial flows.
• The investigation is led by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office.
• This scandal could impact Ukraine's EU membership bid, where eradicating corruption is critical.
• Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko emphasized the need for a thorough investigation while handling the matter appropriately.

Ukraine's Justice Minister German Galushchenko has been suspended amid a corruption investigation involving a $100 million scheme in the energy sector, according to Reuters. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced the decision, affirming that it was made during an extraordinary government meeting, with Deputy Justice Minister Liudmyla Sugak taking over his duties.

The allegations focus on Galushchenko's actions during his previous tenure as energy minister, where he reportedly profited from illegal financial activities linked to Energoatom, Ukraine's state nuclear power company. According to Al Jazeera and Le Monde, the scheme involved accusations of contractors being coerced into paying bribes to secure and expedite contracts.

Galushchenko has stated he will legally defend himself during the investigation, which he describes as a "civilized and correct scenario," emphasizing his willingness to resolve the matter transparently, as reported by AA and Al Jazeera.

This case is part of a broader crackdown on corruption as Ukraine seeks to advance its application for European Union membership, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urging cooperation with ongoing anti-corruption inquiries, according to Reuters and Le Monde.