Head Of Ukraine's State Energy Company Detained In Corruption Probe

Naftogaz head Yevhen Bakulin (left, with Gazprom chief Aleksei Miller) is suspected of heading a "criminal group" whose members include other senior current and former Ukrainian government members.

Ukrainian police have arrested the head of the state-run energy company Naftogaz, Yevhen Bakulin, in connection with a corruption investigation.

Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, in a statement on Facebook, said the police were conducting three separate investigations into suspected corruption in the natural-gas industry that may have cost the state some $4 billion.

Avakov said Bakulin was suspected of heading a "criminal group" whose members include other senior current and former Ukrainian government members.

There were no more immediate details on the police investigations.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP