Monobank Client Files Lawsuit After Co-Founder Publishes Her Photo

Legal Action Against Monobank and Its Co-Founder

According to Главком: The Addati Group law firm is representing monobank client Karina Kolb, whose photograph was publicly shared by the bank's co-founder, Oleg Gorokhovsky. This incident, which has drawn significant media attention, has prompted the firm to issue pre-trial demands to JSC Universal Bank, Gorokhovsky, and other authorized persons. In a related development, Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, has also opened proceedings regarding the case.

The controversy began four days ago when Oleg Gorokhovsky posted Karina Kolb's photo, claiming her bank account was blocked because a Russian flag was visible in the background. Following public backlash, Gorokhovsky apologized for his actions. This situation highlights the intense scrutiny Ukrainian businesses face regarding national symbols since Russia's full-scale invasion. The incident has severely impacted Kolb's mental health; her lawyers report she sought medical help and was diagnosed with acute stress reaction and insomnia. She is currently at home and has temporarily stopped going to work.

Law Firm's Demands and Next Steps

The Addati Group has monitored media coverage and compiled an evidence base for further action. Within the next three business days, the lawyers plan to submit their pre-trial demands and a formal inquiry to the bank regarding the possible existence of an internal chat for discussing clients. In their statement, the lawyers emphasized that

"intense psychological pressure and a wave of aggression on social networks have caused a serious deterioration in our client's health"

and noted that

"Ukraine cannot have a separate caste of citizens who are permitted to ignore the requirements of the law."

The lawyers' specific demands include:

• A public, personal apology from Oleg Gorokhovsky on all his personal pages where the relevant information was disseminated;
• A formal retraction of the published information;
• Compensation for damages, including monetary compensation for moral and emotional suffering;
• The unblocking of the client's bank account.

They added that if a pre-trial settlement is refused, they reserve the right to take the matter to court and other legal institutions to protect Kolb's rights.

In his own comment, Oleg Gorokhovsky stated that he has "learned from this situation." The case continues to be investigated by Dmytro Lubinets, who confirmed the opening of proceedings and the start of an official review.

This case underscores the critical importance of personal data protection and citizen rights in the modern media landscape, where information can spread rapidly and cause reputational harm. It also raises serious questions about the ethical standards and accountability of financial institution representatives, whose actions can have severe consequences for their clients.