**Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Hit with Travel Restrictions and $2.9 Million Bail in High-Profile Corruption Case**
In a shocking turn of events, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov has been restricted from traveling abroad without permission after a court set bail at Hr 120 million ($2.9 million) while awaiting trial in a high-profile corruption case.
Chernyshov, who is the highest-ranking official in Ukrainian history to face corruption charges while in office, appeared in court on June 27 and pleaded not guilty to allegations of abusing his government post to illegally enrich himself through a “large-scale” illegal land grab. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) investigation alleges that Chernyshov and his associates undervalued land plots to benefit a developer in exchange for kickbacks, resulting in losses of Hr 1 billion ($24 million) to Ukraine.
Chernyshov has denied the allegations, stating that he was “personally convinced” that the accusation had no objective grounds. However, the court’s decision to set bail at such a high amount and restrict his travel suggests that prosecutors are taking the case seriously.
The significance of this case goes beyond the monetary value, marking a major accusation against a member of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s inner circle. Chernyshov is widely considered a close ally of Zelensky, and the fact that he has been targeted by investigators suggests that the Ukrainian government is taking steps to clean up corruption at the highest levels.
“This is a huge challenge for me,” Chernyshov told reporters during a press briefing after the hearing. “I am confident in my decisions and I will prove them.” However, his upbeat spirits belied the gravity of the situation, as he faces the possibility of imprisonment if found guilty.
The case has sparked widespread concern among anti-corruption advocates, who see it as a major victory for investigators. “The key thing is that today NABU and SAPO have actually reached the immediate circle of the president’s ‘family,'” said Olena Shcherban, deputy executive director at the Anti-Corruption Action Center (ANTAC).
Chernyshov’s case has also raised questions about his relationship with President Zelensky. Despite being a close ally, Chernyshov has been accused of using his position to enrich himself and others through corrupt means. The fact that he was allowed to return to Ukraine after fleeing the country only days before law enforcement unveiled charges suggests that there may have been some level of tolerance or even complicity at the highest levels.
As the case continues, it will be important to watch how Zelensky responds to these allegations and whether Chernyshov’s colleagues and allies stand by him. One thing is certain: this case has the potential to shake the very foundations of Ukrainian politics and shed light on a system that has long been plagued by corruption.
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