Ukraine prosecutor general resigns over corruption claims

Ukraine's prosecutor general Ruslan Kravchenko said Monday that he had submitted his resignation after anti-corruption 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.

NABU said five people were behind the scheme but did not name them.

Kravchenko denied wrongdoing on Sunday, saying the allegations were “completely unsubstantiated”. Announcing his resignation on Telegram on Monday, he said his position on the allegations had not changed.

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.