Court Bans Publication of Investigation into the Real Estate Holdings of the Head of the State Bureau of Investigation's Brother
The Anti-Corruption Center and the “Slidstvo.Info” stated that the Pechersky District Court of Kyiv had banned them from publishing an investigation into the real estate holdings of Kharkiv businessman Oleksandr Sukhachov, who is the brother of State Bureau of Investigations Director Oleksiy Sukhachov.
According to the Anti-Corruption Center, the organization received a copy of the court ruling issued by Judge Serhiy Vovk on July 6, 2026. As noted by journalists and activists, the ruling imposes restrictions on the publication of investigative materials.
Representatives of the CPC and “Slidstvo.Info” stated that they view this decision as an obstruction of journalistic activity and intend to continue defending the right to report on information of public importance.
According to the CPC, the ruling is a preliminary injunction and was issued even before the lawsuit itself was filed. “In other words, the court has not yet considered the merits of the case, as it has not even seen the complaint, nor has the CPC.” Instead, the court’s ruling states that the plaintiff intends to file a lawsuit seeking to prohibit the Anti-Corruption Center and “Slidstvo.Info” from gathering any information about the plaintiff or Sukhachov himself,” the statement reads.
“We worked on the story about Oleksandr Sukhachov together with the Anti-Corruption Center for several months. We found a lot of interesting information—in particular, 143 apartments and office spaces that belonged or belong to Sukhachov Sr., and we also uncovered ties leading to the State Bureau of Investigations, which is headed by his brother, Oleksiy Sukhachov,” said “Slidstvo.Info” journalist Maksym Savchuk, a co-author of the investigation.
According to him, Alina Stryzhak, a journalist with the Center for Political and Legal Reforms (CPLR), sent requests for comment about two weeks ago to DBI Director Oleksiy Sukhachov and to Parkovy-2 LLC, a company linked to Oleksandr Sukhachov.
The CPC stated that this decision “constitutes a significant attack on freedom of speech, which contradicts Ukraine’s European integration commitments.”
“This court decision sets a very dangerous precedent. It is a direct restriction on freedom of speech and a ban on publishing investigations of public importance. We are convinced that the CPC and “Slidstvo.Info” are simply being used as guinea pigs to test a tool for preventing journalists from exposing corruption. Failure to comply with this ruling carries fines, and may even result in criminal prosecution and a number of other consequences. We will definitely appeal this,” said Daria Kalenyuk, executive director of the Anti-Corruption Action Center.
The Anti-Corruption Center noted that the case “has all the hallmarks of a classic SLAPP lawsuit (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation)—a strategic lawsuit filed by individuals under investigation to block journalistic work and silence the public even before the material is published.”
Ukraine has committed to introducing anti-SLAPP legislation in line with European Union standards by 2027, the Anti-Corruption Center emphasized.
There are currently no comments from Oleksiy and Oleksandr Sukhachov on this matter. The court has also not commented on the decision.
The Anti-Corruption Center (ACC) and “Slidstvo.Info” have reported on the court’s decision.
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