Case Involving Individual Who Facilitated Bribe to Supreme Court Chief Justice and Judges Sent to Court
A case has been forwarded to the High Anti-Corruption Court concerning a bribe paid to the Chief Justice and judges of the Supreme Court, with a lawyer acting as an accomplice. In 2023, a businessman—the owner of the Finance and Credit group—allegedly handed over $2.7 million through intermediaries to secure a favorable court ruling. The Chief Justice and the lawyer were caught red-handed while receiving the second installment of the bribe.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) led the investigation into this matter. A prosecutor from the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) has submitted an indictment to the court against the individual who helped facilitate the bribe. The businessman at the center of the case had acquired a 40.19% stake in a mining and processing plant from four companies back in 2002. Eighteen years later, in 2020, the former shareholders filed a lawsuit in a commercial court, but the court of first instance rejected their claim.
Case Details
In 2022, an appellate court overturned the initial ruling, prompting the businessman to conspire with the lawyer in early March 2023. Over the course of March and April 2023, $2.7 million was paid out, with $1.8 million intended for the Supreme Court judges and the remainder covering intermediary fees. On April 19, 2023, the Supreme Court issued a decision in the businessman's favor.
On May 15, 2023, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the lawyer were caught in the act while receiving the second tranche of $450,000. The businessman was officially notified of his suspicion in August 2023, followed by the accomplice in September 2025. The pre-trial investigation concluded in October 2025, and the indictment against the accomplice has now been sent to the High Anti-Corruption Court.
„A person is considered innocent of a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in accordance with the law and established by a court's guilty verdict,“ as stated in Article 62, Part 1 of the Constitution of Ukraine.
This case marks a significant step in Ukraine's fight against corruption, particularly given the high-ranking positions of those involved. The involvement of anti-corruption agencies underscores the state's efforts to promote transparency and fairness within the judicial system. How this case unfolds could greatly influence public trust in both the justice system and anti-corruption initiatives across Ukraine.
The recent corruption scandal involving the Supreme Court highlights ongoing issues within the judicial system. In a related case, an ex-deputy prime minister and a businessman are under investigation for allegedly laundering over $460 million, raising further questions about the integrity of public officials. To learn more about this significant case and its implications, read our detailed coverage here.