Case description
The SAPO suspects former judge Ihor Petryk of receiving a bribe of USD 5,000 for adopting the necessary decision in the case.
According to the investigation, in December 2016, a judge of the Kyiv Administrative Court of Appeal Petryk received a bribe for adopting a decision in favor of the BTU company, which is engaged in the disposal of hazardous waste. The former judge allegedly hid the money in the sewn-in inner pocket of his judicial robe.
By his decision, the judge was supposed to suspend the process of revoking the company's license for its activities. It failed the inspection of the Ministry of Ecology due to numerous violations, as a result of which the revoking of the license was initiated. The first instance court ruled in favor of the private firm, but the appeal from the ministry reached the panel, which included Judge Petryk.
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The prosecution suggests that the former judge arranged a personal meeting with a representative of the firm. During the conversation, Petryk said that the case materials were “problematic,” so they needed additional study. Petryk advised the entrepreneur to file a motion to postpone the case. On the appointed day, the judge’s assistant received money in a cafe.
Petryk’s version of events is different. At first, he claimed that the money he allegedly received was family savings that he kept at work. But later, Petryk changed his version and admitted that the money was given to him by his assistant. He said that the latter was going somewhere and calling someone, and the case against him was fabricated.
Petryk’s actions were classified under Article 368, part 3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. In 2022, the case was suspended because Petryk was mobilized. However, the court currently continues hearing the case.
Interestingly, when asked by journalists from Bihus.Info about the role of the assistant in the case, Petryk started to run and ran almost a block from the crew. In addition, in January 2017, he was suspended. In December 2019, the High Council of Justice dismissed Petryk, a decision that was confirmed by the Supreme Court after numerous appeals.
