Two days after his resignation, charges of embezzlement of funds have been launched against the former head of the Ukrainian central bank, Kyrylo Shevchenko. During his time as head of the state Ukrhasbank, around 5.2 million euros are said to have been stolen between 2014 and 2019, the public prosecutor said on Facebook on Thursday. Four other senior bank employees are also suspects. Shevchenko faces up to twelve years in prison.

The 49-year-old headed Ukrhasbank from 2014 until his appointment as central bank governor in July 2020. Shevchenko submitted his resignation to the central bank on Tuesday for “health reasons”. Parliament approved the dismissal on Thursday. There had been speculation in the Ukrainian media about a conflict between the presidential office and Shevchenko over the financing of the state deficit caused by the war.

Notice, Ukrainian