The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) have announced ongoing investigative actions related to corruption allegations within the Supreme Court of Ukraine. These operations are being conducted at the residences and workplaces of several current and former Supreme Court judges, including the former head of the court.
On May 19, 2023, the agencies confirmed the investigations via their official Telegram channels, although specific details regarding the proceedings have not been disclosed. The investigations follow a significant corruption case that was revealed earlier in May, which implicated the former Supreme Court head, Vsevolod Knyazev, and his associate, a lawyer.
On May 16, 2023, Knyazev and his associate were formally charged under Article 368 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to the acceptance of unlawful benefits by a public official. Knyazev has publicly described his arrest as illegal.
In January 2024, a bail of over 18 million hryvnias was posted for Knyazev, reflecting the severity of the charges against him. Furthermore, at the end of 2024, the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the High Council of Justice to dismiss Knyazev from his position as a Supreme Court judge.
Ukrainian authorities are investigating multiple judges of the Supreme Court, including its former head, for alleged corruption. The ongoing inquiries follow earlier charges against Vsevolod Knyazev, highlighting significant concerns regarding judicial integrity in Ukraine.