Supreme Court Judges Face Bribery Charges Worth $2.7 Million

Corruption Allegations Rock Ukraine's Supreme Court

According to ХВИЛЯ: Ukraine's anti-corruption authorities have formally charged three active judges and one retired judge from the Supreme Court in a major bribery case. The case revolves around a legal dispute over 40.19% of shares in the Poltava Mining and Processing Plant. According to investigators, a businessman used an intermediary to funnel $2.7 million to a lawyer between March and April 2023, with the money intended to secure a favorable court ruling. On May 15, 2023, the then-Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the lawyer were caught red-handed while receiving a second installment of $450,000.

Key Figures and Case Details

The individuals implicated include three sitting judges and one retired judge, all of whom previously served on the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court. They are accused of accepting illicit payments to rule in favor of the owner of the Finance and Credit group. The dispute centers on a 40.19% stake in the Poltava Mining and Processing Plant, which former shareholders had contested. The original share purchase agreement, signed by the businessman in 2002, was initially upheld by a lower court but was later declared invalid by an appeals court in 2022.

The case then moved to the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court for cassation review. Prosecutors allege that the lawyer who received the bribes was part of what is known as the Supreme Court's "back office." On May 15, 2023, the former Supreme Court chief and the lawyer were exposed while collecting the second tranche of the bribe. The case against the former chief justice is currently being heard in the High Anti-Corruption Court.

• In July 2023, the businessman, who was in France at the time, was formally notified of the charges against him.
• The intermediary in the case was charged in September 2025.
• In October 2025, the High Anti-Corruption Court authorized an in-absentia investigation into the owner of the Finance and Credit group.
• The indictment against the intermediary was submitted to the court in May 2026.

This case marks a significant milestone in the fight against corruption within Ukraine's judiciary, involving high-profile figures who once wielded substantial influence. Exposing such corrupt schemes underscores the urgent need for judicial reform and rebuilding public trust in the legal system. The ongoing investigations and trials could have far-reaching implications for judicial independence and anti-corruption efforts across the country.

As the investigation into the bribery scandal unfolds, attention also turns to the lawyer accused of facilitating the illicit payments to the Supreme Court's former chief. This case highlights the intricate web of corruption within Ukraine's judiciary system. For more details on the lawyer's alleged involvement and the ongoing trial, see our article on the trial of the lawyer accused of aiding the chief justice.