Yulia Tymoshenko, leader of the Fatherland party, has submitted a request for the recusal of Vitaliy Dubas, a judge at the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC). Tymoshenko alleges bias and procedural violations during the handling of her case.
According to Tymoshenko, her defense team has presented evidence of legal breaches by the judge. She also noted that the proceedings regarding the recusal request were marred by procedural limitations.
“This recusal request was considered by Judge Dubas himself. He not only prohibited live broadcasting but also denied us the opportunity to speak,” Tymoshenko stated, adding, “We need to check if he has undergone training in North Korea.”
Tymoshenko characterized the investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) as “fabricated” and described the judicial process as a “farce.”
The defense plans to make another attempt to recuse the judge on March 12 at 14:30, insisting on a public hearing with live broadcasting from the HACC. Tymoshenko remarked that the upcoming session would be “intense.”
The criminal proceedings against Tymoshenko commenced in January 2026 and have been accompanied by several notable events. On January 13, NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) announced the uncovering of a scheme involving the bribery of members of parliament. The investigation alleges that the leader of the parliamentary faction attempted to influence voting outcomes in the Verkhovna Rada.
The following day, after overnight searches at the party’s office, Tymoshenko was officially notified of suspicions regarding the offering of unlawful benefits. Anti-corruption authorities released audio recordings, claiming they were materials obtained through wiretapping of the parliament member.
Tymoshenko vehemently denied all accusations, asserting that the case is politically motivated and that the recordings are fabricated. Despite appeals from her defense, the HACC imposed a bail of 33 million UAH on January 23.
Throughout the proceedings, Tymoshenko has repeatedly emphasized the perceived bias of the investigation, comparing Judge Dubas’s actions to those of Rodion Kireyev during the Yanukovych administration. She has also initiated a process to hold the judge accountable for alleged violations of legal norms.
Yulia Tymoshenko has filed a recusal request against Judge Vitaliy Dubas, citing bias in her ongoing corruption case. The proceedings have been marked by accusations of procedural violations and political motivations.