The Ukrainian central bank accused JSC CB PRIVATBANK's former owner, Ihor Kolomoisky, of orchestrating street protests and other unrest targeting the bank.

The National Bank of Ukraine described what it says has been a barrage in recent weeks of actions designed to unsettle its leadership, including being threatened by individuals the bank described as thugs, as well as slanderous or speculative media reports.

The central bank said it believes that Kolomoisky is orchestrating the unrest in the hope that it would lead to leadership changes at the institution as well as tarnish its reputation with the International Monetary Fund.

It also alleges that the actions relate to the businessman's attempt to avoid repaying $5.5 billion of Privatbank-related debt to the Ukrainian state.

Kolomoisky has denied the allegations, saying that the protests against the central bank are linked to its exchange rate policy, Reuters reported.