The Chamber of Appeal of the Supreme Anti -Corruption Court decided to return $ 100,000 to the Head of the Western Commercial Court of Appeal, which were seized during the search in its premises. In total, NABU detectives then found more than $ 271 thousand in cash, some of which will remain under arrest.
The search was conducted in the framework of the investigation of the case of demanding $ 1 million of bribe by Lviv judges Boris Plotnitsky, Vasyl Artimovich and Mikhail Yurkevich. The investigation studied the possible connection of the chairman of the court with this case and the origin of the withdrawn funds.
In November 2024, NABU detectives searched Maxim Zelik's house. During investigative actions, law enforcement officers seized the Apple iPhone 16 Pro mobile phone and $ 271 thousand in cash. It turned out that the phone had cleared chats in WhatsApp, and in the history of calls found contacts with the persons involved in bribery.
Maxim Zhalik explained that $ 100,000 is his savings, declared in the declaration for 2023. This was also confirmed by his wife, Judge of the Lviv District Administrative Court Alexander Zhalik. He received another $ 150,000 from his father for storage for the purchase of real estate, but investigators questioned this version.
At the end of December 2024, Wax granted the prosecutor's request and seized Zholik's mobile phone and $ 271 thousand, as some of these funds were regarded as a possible bribe.
However, on March 10, the WACS Appellate Chamber decided to repay $ 100,000, which corresponded to its declarations. At the same time, $ 171,000 will remain under arrest because these funds do not meet declared assets and official income.
Maxim Zhalik held the post of chairman of the Western Commercial Court of Appeal in August 2024, replacing Boris Plotnitsky, who was detained on a bribe.
The scandal with the seized money and the connections with the suspected judges is asked by the integrity of Maxim Zelik and the level of corruption in the Ukrainian judicial system.
