Ex-head of Ukraine's Supreme Court held on UAH 107M bail

The investigating judge read out a respective ruling on Thursday, May 18, according to Ukrinform.

The court decided to take Kniaziev into custody for 60 days with the alternative of posting UAH 107.36 million bail.

The prosecutors requested that the suspect be remanded in custody with the alternative of putting up UAH 150 million bail. They explained such a request by the fact that the former head of the Supreme Court could hide in Ukraine or abroad, influence witnesses, experts, Supreme Court judges or even destroy evidence.

Kniaziev himself and his lawyers asked the court to choose a measure of restraint not related to detention.

On May 15, Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) said they had exposed a corruption scheme involving the leadership and judges of the Supreme Court of Ukraine. The law enforcement officers detained the head of the Supreme Court, Kniaziev, and seized $2.7 million.

On May 16, 2023, during a plenary session of the Supreme Court, 140 judges supported a motion of no confidence in the incumbent head of the Supreme Court. The judges also adopted a resolution of the plenary session of the Supreme Court on the termination of Kniaziev's powers as head of Ukraine's Supreme Court.

On May 17, the High Anti-Corruption Court rejected a complaint lodged by Kniaziev's defense team against his detention.

On May 18, the High Council of Justice supported a motion from the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office for permission to keep Kniaziev in custody.

Photo: Suspilne