Ukraine prosecutors seek to detain top manager in closely watched graft case

FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolyev and Ukraine's Minister of Energy and Environmental Protection Oleksiy Orzhel leave after the gas talks between the European Union, Russia and Ukraine at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium September 19, 2019. REUTERS/Yves Herman

KYIV (Reuters) - Anti-corruption authorities in Ukraine are seeking the pre-trial detention of the former head of a state oil and gas giant in a case at the forefront of Kyiv's battle against corruption which has also attracted public criticism.

Prosecutors on Friday asked the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine to place Andriy Kobolyev, who is suspected of embezzlement while leading Naftogaz, in custody unless he posts around $10 million in bail.