ECHR Backs Ukraine in Vadym Alperin Smuggling Case - Property Confiscation Ahead

Odesa businessman Vadym Alperin, who is called the "king of smuggling," tried to appeal his detention to the European Court of Human Rights, but the ECHR found no violations and supported Ukraine. Now Alperin faces confiscation of property and further criminal prosecution.

This is stated in the ECHR decision.

As explained by the Commissioner for the European Court of Human Rights Margarita Sokorenko, Alperin filed a lawsuit against Ukraine over his detention in 2019. In particular, the businessman claimed that his detention by NABU detectives was illegal and that the amount of bail was unreasonably high. He also complained about the violation of the presumption of innocence due to the statements of the President of Ukraine and accused the authorities of using his case for political purposes.

The ECtHR concluded that

• Mr. Alperin's detention was lawful and justified, as there were risks of his escape;
• the amount of bail corresponded to his financial situation;
• part of the bail was confiscated due to his violation of procedural obligations;
• there was no evidence of political persecution.

The final decision was made on March 24, 2025, after Alperin's motion to reconsider the case was rejected. Now he faces confiscation of property and further criminal prosecution.

Earlier, a panel of judges of the High Anti-Corruption Court refused to consider motions by several lawyers to disqualify judges in the case of organizing a scheme to smuggle goods across the Ukrainian border, in particular at the Odesa customs.

Vadym Alperin was accused of large-scale violations of customs legislation. In 2019, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally announced the search for this businessman.

In July 2018, the Prosecutor General's Office sent to court the case of Alperin, who offered a bribe of USD 800 thousand to a NABU detective.

Soon after, Vadym Alperin appeared in person at the SAPO, where he was detained. The court ruled to arrest the businessman for two months and set bail at UAH 70 million. However, he spent only a few days in jail, as he was released after paying the required amount.

Ірина Глухова