In the Odesa region, law enforcement officers have exposed the president of one of the district courts who, according to the investigation, demanded 30,000 hryvnias to dismiss an administrative case concerning drink-driving. The judge was arrested on 7 November immediately after receiving the agreed sum, and on 9 November he was served with a notice of suspicion. The operation was carried out by detectives from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau in conjunction with the National Police, under the procedural supervision of the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.
- In the Odesa region, the president of a district court is suspected of accepting a bribe of 30,000 hryvnias.
- In exchange for money, the judge allegedly promised to dismiss the case concerning drink-driving.
- Law enforcement officers caught the official red-handed on 7 November after he had received the agreed sum.
- On 9 November, the judges were served with a notice of suspicion under the bribery offence.
- If found guilty, he faces up to ten years’ imprisonment.
The judge demanded 30,000 hryvnias in exchange for a ruling in the driver’s favour
According to the investigation, an administrative case was brought before one of the district courts in the Odesa region concerning a woman who was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.
According to the law enforcement authorities, the presiding judge offered to rule in favour of the driver in exchange for a cash payment. The official valued his services at 30,000 hryvnias. In effect, this involved the dismissal of administrative proceedings, which could have resulted in a fine and the suspension of her driving licence.
The circumstances of the alleged offence were documented by NABU detectives in collaboration with officers from the National Police’s Strategic Investigations Directorate in the Odesa region. The details were entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations on 6 November 2026.
Law enforcement officers arrested the head of the court after the money had been handed over
The very next day, 7 November, law enforcement officers carried out an operation during which the judge was caught red-handed after receiving the agreed sum. The money was seized at the scene of the investigation.
On 9 November, on the instructions of the head of the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, the official was notified that he was under suspicion of receiving an unlawful benefit.
The actions of the district court president were classified under part three Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. This provision establishes liability for the receipt of an unlawful benefit by a public official holding a position of responsibility.
The name of the court and the identity of the suspect were not disclosed in the official statements.
What is the potential penalty for the president of a district court?
In case of proof of guilt The judge faces between five and ten years’ imprisonment, with confiscation of property. The Act also provides for disqualification from holding certain posts or engaging in relevant activities for a period of up to three years.
The administrative case, in which money was allegedly demanded in exchange for a decision, concerned part one of Article 130 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offences. For driving whilst under the influence of alcohol, this provision provides for a fine of 17,000 hryvnias and a one-year driving ban.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. The final decision on the official’s guilt is to be made by the court.
