Head of Ukrainian Supreme Court spoke of 'fighting corruption' and took a $3 million bribe

Vsevolod Knyazev, the former president of Ukraine's Supreme Court, has been sentenced to five years in prison after admitting to accepting a $3 million bribe. Knyazev, who was appointed at the age of 42 shortly before Russia's full-scale invasion, had previously spoken out strongly against corruption.

In a May 2022 interview with "Rzeczpospolita," Knyazev declared that "the fight against corruption is task number one" and emphasized its importance for Ukraine's integration with the European Union. He called for a "moral healing" among those engaging in corrupt practices. His appointment had raised hopes for reforms within the judicial system, which had been criticized for lingering issues from previous administrations.

However, less than a year later, Knyazev was apprehended by Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP). He was caught allegedly receiving the bribe from individuals acting on behalf of Konstantin Zhevago, a Ukrainian oligarch who has fled the country and is accused of embezzling funds from his former bank, "Finance and Credit." Notably, a Paris court has twice refused Zhevago's extradition, questioning the independence of Ukrainian courts.

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The fight against corruption is task number one. This must be instilled in children from primary school.

The proceedings against Knyazev concluded with a plea agreement. He confessed to the charges and was sentenced on March 8. In addition to the prison term, he is barred from holding judicial or law enforcement positions for three years. His assets, including an apartment, a house, $200,000 in savings, and over $1.2 million in illicit gains, were confiscated. Knyazev also agreed to donate over $1.1 million to the "Come Back Alive" foundation to support Ukrainian soldiers.

The case has had wider repercussions, with NABU and SAP later charging three active and one retired Supreme Court judges in May. These judges are accused of making decisions favorable to individuals being pursued by Ukrainian authorities.

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Corruption weakens our country. And we must be strong, because Russia will not disappear from the world map and may again be a threat.