Ukraine has declared former central bank Governor Kyrylo Shevchenko a wanted man, along with two high-ranking employees of lender Ukrgasbank, on suspicion of embezzling more than $5.42 million.
Shevchenko abruptly resigned on October 4, citing health problems. But two days later, Shevchenko said he had been identified as a suspect in an investigation into "illegal activities" at Ukrgasbank, which he led before his central bank role.
Shevchenko has denied any wrongdoing.
He was appointed the head of the central bank in July 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, promising to maintain the bank's independence and to cooperate with the International Monetary Fund.
In resigning, Shevchenko noted what he described as the bank's successes -- despite the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine this year -- including the uninterrupted operation of the financial system and preventing panic on the foreign exchange market or large-scale capital outflows to protect reserves, RFE/RL reports.
