You're reading: Hrytsenko accuses Yezhel of corruption, demands his dismissal

Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security and Defense Anatoliy Hrytsenko has called on the government to address Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych with a request to dismiss Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Yezhel.

"Yezhel corrupts your Economy Ministry. You, as an official, should stop this," Hrytsenko told Ukrainian First Vice Premier Andriy Kliuyev on April 4, during a meeting of the conciliatory council.

Hrytsenko noted that when a scandal arouse around food procurements for soldiers, the government submitted a bill, parliament passed it very quickly and the president signed it at once.

The law prolonged the agreement on food supplies to soldiers until March 31.

He also stressed that during this time Yezhel was to have held new tenders.

"The minister was not even going to do this, and this ended with another corruption scandal," Hrytsenko added.

"The Economy Ministry is investigating the issue. I would like the government to hold a similar investigation at the Defense Ministry," the head of the committee said.

According to Hrytsenko, Yezhel is responsible for this situation.

"While the law is not signed by the Cabinet of Ministers, I ask you to submit a request on Yezhel’s dismissal to the president. Because later we will not be able to do this," Hrytsenko added.

In turn, Kliuyev said that the Economy Ministry is investigating the issue, the deputy economy minister has been temporary dismissed and "he’s likely to be fired."

"Today official investigations are being carried out at the Economy Ministry and the Defense Ministry," the first vice premier said.

Hrytsenko headed the Defense Ministry in 2005-2006. He is the leader of the Civil Position Party.