Corruption is Everywhere > Even in the EU Commissioners Office; Another Ukraine military official

 

ING settles Belgian money laundering case for €1.6 Million involving ex-EU Commissioner

ING has agreed to pay 1.6 million euros to settle a Belgian money-laundering investigation involving former European Commissioner Didier Reynders, the Brussels public prosecutor’s office said Tuesday.

The settlement follows a complaint filed by Belgium’s central bank in April 2025 against ING’s Belgian branch for possible complicity in money laundering.

According to Belgian newspaper De Morgen, Reynders deposited nearly 700,000 euros in cash into his ING Belgium account between 2008 and 2018.

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That probe focused on 245 cash deposits and 779 e-Lotto transfers, totaling more than 1 million euros. Prosecutors investigated why the bank failed to report suspicious activity by Reynders earlier.

The bank questioned him about the deposits in 2018 but did not file a report until 2023 with the Cel voor Financiële Informatieverwerking, Belgium’s financial intelligence unit that receives suspicious transaction reports from banks.

Ex-Ukrainian draft chief suspected of $1 million corruption

Police have reported a sweeping crackdown on former officials accused of profiting from mobilization

Published 5 May, 2026 11:03 | Updated 5 May, 2026 12:05

A car being evacuated as part of a crackdown on Ukrainian draft officials suspected of corruption. ©  Telegram / National police of Ukraine

A former Ukrainian military official who led a regional conscription office in Odessa is suspected of illegally accumulating around $1 million in wealth while in office.

Corruption, long seen as a systemic issue in Ukraine, has intensified public frustration surrounding the country’s obligatory mobilization campaign, with widespread claims of some officials taking bribes from men seeking to evade military service.

The unnamed suspect’s case was highlighted by the national police on Monday as part of a wider investigation into alleged abuses within the conscription system. The authorities said several serving and former senior draft officials are under scrutiny, with assets believed to be of dubious origin being confiscated.

According to police, property worth more than $2 million that had not been properly declared was targeted. Seized items reportedly include Tesla vehicles, large sums of cash, gold coins, and other valuables. In total, 44 searches were carried out nationwide.

Czech golden coins seized by Ukrainian police in an anti-corruption probe. ©  Telegram / National police of Ukraine

Ukraine depends on compulsory military service to replenish its frontline forces in the conflict with Russia, with numerous videos circulating online showing recruitment officers forcibly detaining men of fighting age. The Defense Ministry is reportedly considering reforms as incidents of resistance, including violent confrontations with officials, become more frequent. Critics argue the military may be attempting to shift public anger onto civilian authorities by assigning enforcement responsibilities to the police.

Bank notes laid out by Ukrainian police in an anti-corruption probe. ©  Telegram / National police of Ukraine

The controversial mobilization system has been linked to organized crime. In a recent high-profile case in Odessa, the authorities said they busted a group of draft officials allegedly operating as a kidnapping ring. The suspects were accused of using insider police information to identify affluent targets, abduct them, and demand ransom for their release, threatening to send them to the front line otherwise.