Head of Ukraine's Supreme Court arrested in corruption probe
The country intensified the fight against corruption, even after the Russian invasion as a requirementfor membership in the European Union.
Semen Kryvonos, head of Nabu on the left and head of SAPO, Oleksandr Klymenko on the right - Photo: Viacheslav Ratynskyi/Reuters
The President of the Supreme Court of Ukraine, Vsevolod Kniaziev, was detained by Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities in an investigation seen as crucial in the fight against high-level corruption in Kiev. According to information released at a press conference this Tuesday (16), by prosecutor Oleksandr Omelchenko, the head of the Ukrainian judiciary was arrested for alleged involvement in a bribery scheme and that he was awaiting a formal "notice of suspicion".
“At this time, the head of the Supreme Court has been detained and steps are being taken to verify other individuals for involvement in criminal activity,” he said. Omelchenko.
Money found by anti-corruption detectives during the investigation - Photo Reproduction National Anti-Corruption Agency of Ukraine/Reuters
On Monday (15), Ukraine's national anti-corruption agency (Nabu) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Office (just), revealed significant corruption in the courtroom, featuring an image of dollars stacked neatly on a couch. The Ukrainian agency said the head of the Supreme Court is suspected of receiving a $2.7 million (£2.16 million) bribe. According to the head of the agency, Semen Kryvonos, this is the most significant case involving Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies.
“We are showing through real cases, real actions, what our priority is: it is high-end corruption, it is criminal organizations in the highest echelons of power,” he said.
Kryvonos suspects bribery on behalf of the group Finance and Credit de Zhevago, as part of a possible court pressure scheme. Zhevago denies wrongdoing. In an emergency session on Tuesday, Ukraine's Supreme Court condemned the corruption, pledging full cooperation with the investigation. In addition, proceedings were initiated for lack of confidence in Kniaziev.
The European Union required Ukraine to fight corruption as a condition of its entry. However, despite some recent progress, Ukraine still ranks 116th on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, which measures 180 countries.
