Preventive Measures Imposed on Supreme Court Judges
On May 21, an investigating judge from the High Anti-Corruption Court ordered bail for two Supreme Court justices, Ihor Zheleznyi and Iryna Hryhorieva. They are suspected of involvement in corrupt activities linked to the case of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Vsevolod Knyazev. The bail amounts are set at UAH 2.5 million and UAH 2 million, respectively. Both suspects must deposit these funds into the High Anti-Corruption Court’s designated account within five days of the ruling.
The obligations tied to these measures will remain in effect until July 21 inclusive. According to media reports, on May 19, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) conducted investigative actions as part of the corruption probe into the Supreme Court. NABU and SAPO allege that Knyazev accepted a bribe of $2.7 million.
Sanctions and Conditions for the Judges
Notably, back in 2017, Knyazev rented an apartment in Kyiv’s Pechersk district for just UAH 1,000 per month. On December 26, 2023, the Pechersk District Court of Kyiv fined him UAH 2,550 and ordered the confiscation of an illegal gift valued at UAH 906,600, a decision later upheld by the Kyiv Court of Appeal. On December 12, 2024, the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court confirmed the High Council of Justice’s decision to dismiss Knyazev from his judicial post.
It is worth recalling that on May 18, 2023, the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine placed Knyazev in pre-trial detention with the option of posting bail. He was released on January 31, 2024, after paying UAH 18.168 million in bail.
In addition to posting bail, the accused judges must comply with a series of conditions, including:
- Appearing before an investigator, detective, prosecutor, or court whenever required;
- Not leaving Kyiv City or Kyiv Oblast without permission from the investigator, detective, prosecutor, or court;
- Notifying the investigator, detective, prosecutor, or court of any change in residence;
- Avoiding contact with individuals specified in the court ruling;
- Surrendering any valid passports and other documents permitting travel abroad to the relevant state authorities.
This case underscores Ukraine’s ongoing struggle against corruption, particularly within the judiciary, which is a cornerstone of the rule of law. Since judicial corruption can erode public trust in justice, the outcomes of this investigation could have serious implications for the judiciary’s reputation and reform efforts. The future developments in this case, including potential trials, will serve as a critical test for the country’s anti-corruption institutions.
The recent developments surrounding the Supreme Court judges are part of a broader investigation into corruption within Ukraine's judiciary. This probe has seen significant actions from anti-corruption agencies, including raids at the Supreme Court. To understand the full scope of these investigations and their implications, you can read more about the anti-corruption efforts targeting the Supreme Court.