European Court of Human Rights Issues Ruling
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that Ukraine violated the rights of former judge Oleksiy Tandyr. The court found that Tandyr, who was held in pre-trial detention for over two and a half years without the option of bail, is entitled to compensation. Ukraine must pay him €2,100 for moral damages and €250 for court costs. This ruling comes as Ukraine's judicial reforms are under international scrutiny.
The Case of Oleksiy Tandyr
The case stems from a fatal traffic accident on the night of May 26, 2023, on Beresteiskyi Avenue in Kyiv. Tandyr was driving the car, which struck and killed 22-year-old National Guardsman Vadym Bondarenko, who was on duty at a checkpoint before curfew. Police found a partially consumed bottle of whiskey in Tandyr's car, and he refused a blood alcohol test, providing only a urine sample.
Laboratory analysis revealed the sample Tandyr provided contained only water and saliva, not valid biological material. In July 2023, an expert examination confirmed Tandyr was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. It was also established his vehicle was traveling at approximately 100 km/h. In August 2023, the prosecutor's office reported an attempt to falsify test results, further complicating the case.
The Pechersk District Court of Kyiv ordered Tandyr to be held in custody without bail. In April 2024, the High Council of Justice decided to dismiss him from his judicial post. As of early 2026, the criminal case is still under consideration by the Svyatoshynskyi District Court of Kyiv, where written evidence from the prosecution is being examined. A verdict has not yet been reached.
The European Court of Human Rights' decision underscores the importance of upholding human rights in Ukraine, even in cases involving serious crimes.
The Tandyr case highlights concerns over prolonged detention without bail, pointing to potential systemic flaws in the justice system. Its outcome could significantly impact the international perception of Ukraine's judicial reforms and its ability to ensure fairness in high-profile proceedings.