The High Council of Justice dismissed a judge of the Chudniv District Court who is implicated in a case involving the illegal seizure of 94 hectares of land
The High Council of Justice has decided to dismiss Maksym Lesko, a judge of the Chudniv District Court in Zhytomyr Oblast. He had previously been notified of charges of aiding and abetting fraud and official forgery in a case involving the illegal acquisition of 94 hectares of land.
According to the investigation, between 2021 and 2023, the judge issued rulings recognizing ownership of land plots in favor of individuals who had no legal grounds to claim them. This involves at least 27 court rulings concerning 32 land plots.
Investigators believe the scheme was carried out through the filing of lawsuits regarding “inheritance” or “unrealized rights to land shares.” Afterward, the land plots were re-registered in the names of individuals affiliated with the agricultural enterprise.
Previously, the High Council of Justice reviewed materials regarding the dismissal of judges under general circumstances and issued the corresponding decisions.
At the same time, the High Council of Justice is considering a disciplinary complaint filed on behalf of Alona Volodymyrivna Shevtsova against Judge Volodymyr Yaroslavovych Marmash of the Lychakiv District Court of Lviv, who committed gross violations bordering on disciplinary and criminal liability, in particular, the consideration of a motion by BEB detectives to conduct a special pre-trial investigation regarding A.V. Shevtsova
According to the response from Lilia Yakimyak, Deputy Head of the Secretariat of the High Council of Justice, to a corresponding journalistic inquiry, no specific timeline has been provided for the completion of the review of the disciplinary complaint against Judge Volodymyr Yaroslavovych Marmash of the Lychakiv District Court of Lviv. Such a prolonged delay in reviewing the complaint may be a demonstration of collusion and a reluctance to hold accountable a “convenient” judge who willingly carries out tasks assigned by unscrupulous law enforcement officials.
The complaint against Marmash is that he issued his decision after the pre-trial investigation period had already expired, which made it impossible to grant the relevant motion. The only lawful option in such a situation was to return the motion, but Judge V.Y. Marmash failed to comply with the requirements of the law.
We would also like to remind you that the investigation into the illegal enrichment of former Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine Dmytro Verbytskyi, who was dismissed from his post nearly two years ago, is being delayed.
On May 13, 2024, NABU opened criminal case No. 52024000000000231 under the article on illegal enrichment (Article 368-5 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) following high-profile exposés by Radio Liberty and the Schemes program. However, the case remains at the pre-trial investigation stage without any preventive measures having been announced.
