Kherson judge suspected of treason

Former judge of the Kherson District Administrative Court Serhiy Varniak was served with a notice of suspicion of collaboration.

This was reported by the Uriadovyi Courier.

According to the investigation, Varniak is suspected of voluntarily taking a position in illegal judicial bodies in the temporarily occupied territory. However, he failed to actually become a judge of the occupation "arbitration court".

It is known that in 2023 he tried to appeal the refusal to be appointed to the court, but the so-called "Crimean court" refused him, and in 2024 this decision was upheld by the cassation instance.

At the same time, disciplinary proceedings against the judge are ongoing.

As reported by the High Council of Justice, the Second Disciplinary Chamber decided to bring him to disciplinary responsibility and impose a penalty in the form of a motion for dismissal.

Based on this decision, Serhii Varniak was temporarily suspended from the administration of justice. According to the law, in case of such a disciplinary sanction, the judge is automatically suspended until the final decision to dismiss or cancel the disciplinary decision.

It is noted that the disciplinary case against the judge was opened on February 7. According to the HCJ, in 2022, he remained in the temporarily occupied territory, explaining this by family circumstances, but has not yet appeared in the court to which he was sent - the Odesa District Administrative Court.

The criminal investigation is currently underway. If proven guilty, the ex-judge faces liability for cooperation.

As a reminder, the former judge from Kherson region was found guilty of treason and collaboration. She was sentenced to life imprisonment with confiscation of property for a combination of crimes.

Андрій Колісніченко