Joint Session of the High Qualification Commission of Judges
A special joint session of the High Qualification Commission of Judges and the Public Council of International Experts was held on March 18. The purpose was to interview candidates for the position of judge at the High Anti-Corruption Court. Among the candidates was Odesa's Khadzhibeyskyi District Court judge, Oleksandr Leonov. The interview focused on over 1,000 queries made to the Unified State Register of Court Decisions, his financial circumstances, and information concerning his relatives.
Issues Raised During the Interview
The interview raised questions about Leonov's financial transactions, including information about his brother, mother, and wife. The candidate filed a report with law enforcement regarding unauthorized access to the register under his login. Leonov also admitted to searching for information about his wife, from whom he is officially divorced. He attempted to strip his ex-wife of parental rights for another child and sought court recognition for the right to independently raise their three shared children. During the interview, Leonov stated they remarried in a church ceremony in 2025.
The commission also inquired about a house near Odesa registered under Leonov's mother. The candidate claimed his brother provided the funds for the house, an apartment, and a car, and that the house was constructed between 2015 and 2020. However, data from the Anti-Corruption Action Center contradicts this, as satellite imagery indicates the house was built in 2021-2022, with only the land being fenced in 2020.
Leonov also told commission members the house was built from 2015 to 2020, although we have satellite images showing the house was constructed in 2021-2022, and in 2020 only the plot was fenced.
Seventy-three candidates passed the qualification exam. For a positive decision on integrity, a candidate must secure a majority vote from those present, including at least half of the international experts. If no decision is reached, the candidate is automatically disqualified. The criteria for a candidate's integrity include:
- Honesty
- Independence
- Impartiality
- Refusal of bribes
- Adherence to ethics
- Impeccable conduct in professional and personal life
- Consistency of assets and lifestyle with official income
These interviews are a critical step in forming Ukraine's judiciary, particularly for its key anti-corruption institution. The establishment of the High Anti-Corruption Court is a major reform demanded by international partners and civil society. The outcome of these interviews will impact not only individual careers but also public trust in the judicial system's ability to combat corruption effectively.