Judicial Corruption Uncovered in Odesa: 1,040 Cases of Evasion and Bribery

A criminal group operating within the judicial system and helping to evade mobilization and illegally cross the border was exposed in Odesa region.

This was reported by the NABU.

According to them, the scheme consisted of massive issuance of court decisions falsely confirming that a man was raising a child on his own, which allowed him to avoid mobilization and travel abroad. The cost of the "service" was $3,500, and the decision was made without the actual participation of the parties in one session. In total, the investigation identified 1040 such cases.

Photo: National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine.

For conspiracy purposes, the offenders organized a "back office" of the court on the basis of a law firm and even advertised their services on social media.

As a result of a special operation by the NABU, the SAPO and the SBU, 8 members of the group were served suspicion notices, including:

• the current and former heads of the court;
• judges and court officials;
• a lawyer and his assistant.

Three more people were served suspicion notices of involvement in the crime, including judicial assistants and a citizen of Ukraine.

Photo: National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine.

The actions of the defendants are classified under several articles of the Criminal Code, including bribery, illegal border crossing and interference with the justice system. Three judges face dismissal.

The operation lasted over a year, and investigators repeatedly documented the transfer of bribes. In the summer and fall of 2024, new crimes were recorded, which allowed them to collect enough evidence to announce suspicions in February 2025.

Meanwhile, Oleksandr Boyarsky, a judge of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi City District Court of Odesa Oblast, was temporarily suspended from administering justice. He is involved in a case of draft evasion and transportation of persons liable for military service abroad.

Another judge in this court, Valentyn Zaveriukha, was also suspended.

Ірина Глухова