Case of the Guardsman's Death
The trial concerning the death of a National Guardsman at a checkpoint, killed by a former judge who was allegedly driving drunk, has been postponed again due to the absence of the accused's lawyers. The hearing in Kyiv's Svyatoshynsky District Court, which has been handling the case since 2023, is now rescheduled for January 28, 2026. This case highlights ongoing challenges within Ukraine's judicial system during wartime.
The accused is a former judge from a district court in the Kyiv region. The fatal incident under review occurred on May 25, 2023, at approximately 11:55 PM. The ex-judge, driving a Lexus ES 350, struck a National Guardsman who was on duty at the checkpoint. Tragically, the 22-year-old guardsman died at the scene.
The driver refused to undergo a sobriety test, leading a court to authorize the forced collection of biological samples. The pre-trial investigation lasted nearly three months, and the criminal proceedings were forwarded to the court by the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office in August 2023. A preparatory hearing took place on September 6, 2023, with hearings subsequently scheduled at regular 10–20 day intervals.
Status of the Investigation
To date, 30 prosecution witnesses and 4 defense witnesses have been questioned in the case. The defense requested to question 22 witnesses, but the court approved only 9 of them. Furthermore, in December 2023, the accused attempted to mobilize into a territorial defense unit in Nizhyn, but the military unit refused to accept him for service. The case remains active, with court sessions frequently postponed for procedural reasons.
The situation surrounding this case reflects broader systemic difficulties, including high court caseloads and procedural delays, which are particularly sensitive in matters involving the death of a serviceman. These repeated postponements risk undermining public confidence in the timely delivery of justice. The outcome will be closely watched, not only by the victim's family but by a society keen to see the rule of law upheld during a period of national crisis.