November 3, 2024

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Ukraine: Odessa mayor in prison

Ukraine: Odessa mayor in prison

George Phitsaras/Amna via the Associated Press

The war in Ukraine does not stop political developments and processes in the country.

The authorities handcuffed the mayor of Odessa, Hennady Trukhanov, the country’s anti-corruption prosecutor’s office announced today.

As part of an investigation that began in 2021 and continues today, he was charged with embezzlement. He, of course, denies all accusations. This is not the first time Trukhanov has been investigated, as authorities investigated his financial activities back in 2017.

Trukhanov was elected mayor of this large Black Sea city in 2014.

In a post on messaging app Telegram, prosecutors said Trukhanov would be held for 60 days for failing to post bail of about 30 million hryvnia (Ukrainian national currency), the equivalent of about 830,000 euros.

The mayor is accused of embezzling 92 million hryvnia. He was acquitted of the charges in 2018, but a new investigation was opened against him in 2021 on the occasion of the purchase of a building in an old factory in Odessa.

Fighting corruption is vital for Ukraine in its bid to join the European Union.

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