Ukraine court orders agriculture minister to be taken into custody in corruption case

A Ukrainian court ordered Agriculture Minister Mykola Solsky to be taken into custody on Friday to face allegations of his alleged involvement in an illegal acquisition of state-owned land worth about $7 million.

A Ukrainian court ordered Agriculture Minister Mykola Solsky to be taken into custody on Friday to face allegations of his alleged involvement in an illegal acquisition of state-owned land worth about $7 million.

Solsky denies the allegations, which relate to events in 2017-2021, before he started as agriculture minister in March 2022. The judge set bail at 75.7 million hryvnias ($1.9 million).

Solsky tendered his resignation on Thursday but technically remains in his post until parliament considers his request. He is the first known minister under President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to be named a suspect in a corruption case.

The judge said that Solsky would remain in custody until June 24. Prosecutors told a court hearing on Thursday that the allegations against him were punishable by up to 12 years in jail.

Solsky was unavailable for immediate comment.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ukraine-agriculture-minister-custody-corruption-case-rcna149488

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