Verdict for Judge Kril
Judge Luka Kril of the Turkivsky District Court in the Lviv region has been found guilty by the High Anti-Corruption Court and sentenced to eight years in prison. He was arrested in December 2018 by Ukraine’s Security Service and prosecutors from the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office for demanding 1,000 euros from a local resident. The judge sought this payment in exchange for not prosecuting the individual for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Law enforcement officials apprehended Kril at his workplace after he received the second installment of the bribe—400 euros—which he accepted in the courthouse bathroom. In February 2019, the High Council of Justice temporarily suspended him from his judicial duties. However, in 2020, the judge again accepted a bribe, this time 500 dollars, promising a businessman that he would avoid criminal liability.
Penalty and Consequences
Following his prison term, Luka Kril will be barred from holding certain positions for three years. The verdict can be appealed within 30 days. In April 2025, it was reported that the judge had enlisted in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
This case sends a strong signal in Ukraine’s fight against corruption, highlighting the judiciary’s serious stance on bribery within the court system. At the same time, it underscores the ongoing need for judicial reforms and stricter accountability for judges to prevent such crimes in the future.