Today, on March 11, 2024, the Kyiv Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal of former Supreme Court Head Vsevolod Kniazev against the decision of the Pechersk District Court of Kyiv, which found him guilty of violating the statutory restrictions on receiving gifts.
As a reminder, on December 13, 2023, the NACP Head drew up a report on an administrative offense against the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court under Part 1 of Article 172-5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.
In violation of the prohibition provided for in Part 2 of Article 23 of the Law of Ukraine "On Prevention of Corruption", Vsevolod Kniazev received a gift in the form of a 133 sq. m. apartment in the Pechersk district (Lipki) of Kyiv at a price significantly lower than the minimum market value of rental housing.
Based on the real estate lease agreement concluded at the end of 2017, the judge rented the apartment for living with a monthly payment of UAH 1 thousand. The difference in the actual and market value of the lease was this illegal gift.
By the decision of the Pechersk District Court of Kyiv dated 26.12.2023, which comes into force today, Vsevolod Kniazev was imposed an administrative penalty in the form of a fine of UAH 2,550 and confiscation of the gift in the amount of UAH 906,600. The funds will be recovered to the state.
If Vsevolod Knyazev does not comply with the court decision voluntarily, the NACP, exercising the rights of the recoverer, will apply to the state executive service to ensure its enforcement.
The decision of the Court of Appeal is final and not subject to appeal.
The circumstances established by the court are the grounds for bringing Judge Knyazev to disciplinary responsibility, including the imposition of a penalty in the form of a motion to dismiss the judge from office. In order to initiate disciplinary proceedings, the NACP will file a complaint with the High Council of Justice.
Since Knyazev was found guilty of committing a corruption-related offense, his information will be entered into the Unified State Register of Persons Who Committed Corruption or Corruption-Related Offenses.
