The case involving a bribe taken by a judge from the Odesa region was closed due to his death

The High Council of Justice has closed the disciplinary proceedings against Ivan Boshkov, a judge of the Reni District Court in Odesa Oblast, who was found dead in his home in August.

The decision was adopted by the Second Disciplinary Chamber of the High Council of Justice on September 9 following consideration of the agenda items for the meeting.

Ivan Boshkov was a suspect in a criminal case involving the acceptance of an unlawful benefit. In March 2026, Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) officers detained the judge while he was receiving 800 euros and 300 U.S. dollars.

According to the investigation, the case involved a driver from whom unmarked tobacco products had been seized. The case file regarding the man’s administrative liability was submitted to the Renii District Court on January 29.

According to investigators, Boshkov offered the complainant a bribe in exchange for ruling to return the seized property, hinting that the complainant would have to “pique his interest” to avoid confiscation. The judge was detained while receiving the money.

Boshkov’s actions were classified under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—receipt of an unlawful benefit by a public official.

Subsequently, the High Council of Justice approved his detention, finding the evidence presented in the relevant motion to be substantiated.

In June, the court released Boshkov on bail of 500,000 hryvnias. He was required to remain under round-the-clock house arrest and wear an electronic ankle monitor.

In August, the judge was found dead in a room in his own home. According to available information, he committed suicide. The circumstances of his death were not disclosed.

Before his death, according to media reports, the judge was depressed and barely interacted with others.

Ірина Глухова