Ukraine prosecutor general denies corruption claims

Ukraine's prosecutor general Ruslan Kravchenko has denied corruption accusations after anti-graft officers searched his offices as part of investigations into illegal call centres.

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office said Saturday they had uncovered a money-laundering scheme “led by an official in the prosecutor general's office” and had conducted raids there.

Investigators said the network received money to protect call centres that carried out phone scams and laundered millions. NABU said bribes were used to buy real estate, jewellery and other valuables, and published images of a safe filled with bundles of dollar bills. It said five people were behind the scheme but did not name them.

Kravchenko said Sunday on social media that he rejected the allegations, calling them completely unsubstantiated and denying wrongdoing.

Kyiv has struggled for years to eradicate corruption, including during Russia's invasion. According to the Swiss-based Global Initiative Against Transnational Crime, illegal call centres employ about 60,000 people in Ukraine.