The Minister of Agriculture of Ukraine, Mykola Solsky, was released on bail. after he was detained on suspicion of being involved in a multi-million dollar government land grab scheme.
Earlier today, the Anti-Corruption Court ordered Solski to remain in custody until June 24 guarantee of 75.7 million hryvnias ($1.9 million). He could face up to 12 years in prison if convicted.
However, Solsky was released after pay his fixed bond.
“Mykola Solsky was released from custody and continues to fulfill his duties as the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine,” the department announced.
He is accused of illegal seizure of state land worth 291 million hryvnias ($7.36 million) and an attempt to get other land worth 190 million hryvnias ($4.8 million).
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He is accused of illegally acquiring state land for $7 million
The claims ofour for events between 2017 and 2021.before he became Ukraine’s wartime minister of agriculture in March 2022, shortly after the start of the Russian invasion.
Under the alleged scheme, land was illegally seized from two state-owned companies and transferred to war veterans on the condition that they lease it to private companies, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau said.
The 44-year-old minister and his lawyer have denied the allegations.
Solski resigned earlier this week and promised to cooperate with the investigation. Technically, however, he will remain Minister of Agriculture until Parliament considers his resignation.
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