The State Bureau of Investigation has uncovered a scheme in which high-ranking officials of one of the Ukrainian courts organized the production of fictitious decisions to evade mobilization and travel abroad for men. The scheme involved the acting head of the court, his assistant, deputy chief of staff, and secretary.
The investigation established that the defendants received $3,000 for each “decision.” They created fictitious cases for clients about divorce and deprivation of the mother’s parental rights. Thus, the man was recognized as the sole guardian of a child under the age of 18, which exempted him from mobilization and gave him the right to leave Ukraine.
These cases were processed without real lawsuits, without paying court fees, and without involving the required agencies, including the Children's Service. The deputy chief of staff illegally interfered with the automated document management system, registered non-existent proceedings, and certified them with the court seal.
The acting president of the court signed unjust decisions, and the secretary prepared fictitious documents and court summonses for clients.
According to the State Bureau of Investigation, more than 120 false decisions were made between the start of the full-scale invasion and the end of 2024. Based on them, more than 40 men crossed the border, and at least 30 of them did not return. Among the “plaintiffs” were employees of the court itself.
The participants in the scheme were notified of suspicion under the following articles:
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illegal smuggling of persons across the state border;
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interference in the work of the judicial system;
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forgery of court decisions;
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obstruction of the activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The penalty is up to 9 years in prison.
Separately, the SBI documented the actions of another judge who, in private conversations, justified the Russian aggression, approved the occupation of Ukrainian territories, and glorified the Russian military. She is charged with an article punishable by up to 8 years in prison.
