Chief Justice case sent to court
On 4 March 2024, NABU and SAPO issued the indictment against the former head of the Supreme Court, who is accused of receiving an especially significant amount of undue advantage.
As established, in 2002, a Ukrainian businessman acquired a 40.19% stake in a mining and processing plant from four companies. 18 years later, the former shareholders filed a lawsuit with the commercial court to invalidate the contract of purchase and sale of securities and to regain their shares. However, the court rejected their motion.
In 2022, the Court of Appeal overturned the first instance decision and invalidated the contract for the sale and purchase of securities.
At the beginning of March 2023, to prevent the loss of shares, the suspect conspired with a lawyer from one of the capital's law firms, who had connections with the judges of the Supreme Court. In March-April 2023, the lawyer received USD 2.7 million from the businessman, while keeping USD 900,000 for himself and giving the rest to the Chief Justice.
Finally, in April 2023, the Supreme Court passed a verdict in favor of the businessman. In the course of the investigation, NABU and SAPO documented the transfer and receipt of USD 1.8 million in two tranches.
On 15 May 2023, while receiving the second tranche of USD 450,000, the Chief Justice and the lawyer were caught red-handed.
On 16 May 2023, NABU and SAPO notified the Chief Justice and the lawyer of suspicion (Part 4 Art. 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). In October, the investigation was completed.
On 3 Aug. 2023, NABU and SAPO served charges on the owner of the Finance and Credit group. The investigation against him and the other alleged participants in the crime was split into separate criminal proceedings.
According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered not-guilty in the commission of a crime and cannot be subject to criminal punishment until he or she is found guilty by court.