Ukrainian Businessman Kolomoisky Detained for Two Months

A Ukrainian court ordered the detention of businessman Ihor Kolomoisky, who is accused of fraud and money laundering, for two months with the option to pay a bail exceeding 509 million hryvnias, equivalent to more than 13 million dollars. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has prioritized strict measures to combat corruption while Ukraine faces a continuous Russian attack for the past 18 months, and Kolomoisky, one of Ukraine's richest individuals, has become a prominent target of Zelensky’s campaign. Zelensky denies any personal ties to Kolomoisky. The Ukrainian Security Service stated: "It has been confirmed that between 2013 and 2020, Ihor Kolomoisky legalized over half a billion hryvnias (14 million dollars) by withdrawing them abroad and using banks under his control." The agency published images of a group of investigators at Kolomoisky's home, showing the businessman receiving and signing documents. Kolomoisky is the former owner of PrivatBank, which was nationalized by authorities in late 2016 as part of a major cleanup of the country’s banking system. This year, security officials searched Kolomoisky's residence as part of a separate investigation into embezzlement and tax evasion involving the country's two largest oil companies, in which he held stakes. Kolomoisky owned a range of assets in energy, banking, and other sectors, as well as one of Ukraine's most influential television channels.