Former head of an Odessa regional court sentenced to 7 years for a 50,000 bribe

The High Anti-Corruption Court sentenced Pavlo Dobrov, a former judge of the Kominternivskyi District Court in Odesa Oblast, to seven years in prison—he was found guilty of accepting a bribe of 50,000 hryvnias.

This was reported by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.

The panel of the High Anti-Corruption Court announced the verdict against the former judge on August 17, 2026.

According to the prosecutor’s office, Dobrov accepted a bribe in exchange for a promise to assist in issuing a ruling to uphold a claim in a civil case in favor of a citizen. He was also supposed to ensure the enforcement of a previously issued ruling regarding the production of evidence.

The court found him guilty under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—receipt of an unlawful benefit by a public official.

In addition to seven years in prison, Dobrov was barred from holding office in state or local government bodies for three years. The court also ordered the confiscation of all property belonging to him.

The verdict is not yet final. It may be appealed within 30 days of the date of pronouncement.

As reported by Intent, Pavlo Dobrov was detained in 2023.

On October 31, 2023, it was reported that the judge had been suspended from his duties due to the opening of a criminal case. Shortly thereafter, the High Anti-Corruption Court partially granted the prosecutors’ motion and set his bail at 1 million hryvnias.

In 2024, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) referred the case to court.

And in March 2025, the High Council of Justice removed the judge of the Kominternivskyi District Court from office for disciplinary violations.

Ірина Глухова