Exclusive: Coal deal showcases lack of transparency in Ukraine

A miner works inside the Novovolynska-9 coal mine in Novovolynsk, Ukraine August 2, 2018. Picture taken August 2, 2018. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

NOVOVOLYNSK, Ukraine (Reuters) - Ukrainian police are investigating two companies and a factory over a coal deal which some anti-corruption campaigners say epitomises the difficulties of doing business in the east European country.

The sums involved in the deal are small but the Anti-Corruption Action Centre, an independent watchdog, says it illustrates the lack of transparency in Ukrainian business, an issue in a presidential election on Sunday that has cost President Petro Poroshenko support.