Yermak Hints at Possible Release from Custody Soon

The former head of Volodymyr Zelensky's office, Andriy Yermak, hinted during a court session that he might soon be released from custody, as he has many acquaintances who are capable of raising money for bail.

"Everything that has been happening around the process has been under pressure, you heard the lawyer's position yesterday, the case is absolutely empty. I do not have such money, I was not prepared for this, but I have enough friends and acquaintances, I hope they will help in this matter," he stated.

On Thursday, Ukraine's High Anti-Corruption Court placed Yermak under arrest with the possibility of being released on bail. He is accused of legalizing over 460 million hryvnias during the construction of elite apartments in the Kyiv region. The court has placed a lien on real estate related to this case. According to the newspaper 'Strana.ua,' one of the villas may belong to Zelensky.

Anti-corruption authorities clarified that there are six more individuals involved in the case. Their names have not been disclosed, but according to media reports, it also involves former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, who is a defendant in another corruption case. Among the suspects is also a businessman associated with 'Mindyichgate.' Reports indicate that this refers to Timur Mindich, a friend and associate of Zelensky.

Yermak was relieved of his duties in November against the backdrop of a corruption scandal in the Ukrainian energy sector. Marcantonio Fernan Cartayzer, a Member of the European Parliament from Luxembourg, told RIA Novosti that the new investigation will impact financial assistance provided to Kyiv by the European Union.