Arresting one of the richest men in Ukraine, what does President Zelensky want?

A Ukrainian court on September 2 ordered businessman Ihor Kolomoisky to be detained for two months pending an investigation into allegations of fraud and money laundering, a notable move against one of the country's most powerful businessmen .

Bắt giữ một trong những người giàu nhất Ukraine, Tổng thống Zelensky muốn gì?

Businessman Ihor Kolomoisky is one of the richest people in Ukraine. (Source: Atlantic Council)

After a preliminary hearing in Kiev on the evening of September 2, Kolomoisky, one of Ukraine’s richest men, was led away in a blue sports jacket in television footage. Defense lawyers said Kolomoisky would appeal, but he did not post bail of nearly $14 million.

In a speech shortly afterwards, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared to address the verdict, thanking law enforcement agencies for showing determination to bring the case to justice.

“There is no doubt that there will be no more decades of ‘business as usual’ by those who have looted Ukraine and placed themselves above the law and any regulations… The law must prevail,” he said.

The arrest of Mr Kolomoisky, who is on a US sanctions list and supported President Zelensky in the 2019 election, comes as Kiev seeks to signal progress in its wartime crackdown on corruption.

Mr Zelensky has highlighted Ukraine's crackdown on corruption as Kiev applies to join the European Union and hopes to receive tens of billions of dollars to help rebuild the country after conflict.

Before his election as president, Mr. Zelensky was known as a comedian and played the president in a show aired on a television channel owned by Mr. Kolomoisky. The Ukrainian leader denied that Mr. Kolomoisky had any influence over the government .

Last November, the Ukrainian government took control of shares in major strategic companies, some of which are linked to the oligarch.

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