Law enforcement officers have registered criminal proceedings due to the disclosure of pre-trial investigation data in the case of the ex-head of the Supreme Court Vsevolod Knyazev and his accomplice regarding the holding of the competition for the High Qualification Commission of judges, who were removed during the search of Knyazev's office. This is reported by SAP.

 "The prosecutor of the SAP initiated an investigation into the criminal proceedings based on the fact of the disclosure of the data constituting the secret of the pre-trial investigation, in the case of the former head of the Supreme Court and his accomplice, who were exposed in obtaining an illegal benefit. On May 18, 2023, the relevant information was registered in the EYRD. Legal qualification - Part 3 of Art. 387 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine," the message reads.

 It is reported that "the pre-trial investigation has been entrusted to the Department of Internal Control of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine."

 "The disclosure of information protected by law is illegal and can cause irreparable damage to the interests of the state. Persons who illegally publicized materials protected by law regarding the holding of a competition for the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine, which were seized during secret investigative (research) actions in the office of the former head of the Supreme Court, must suffer the punishment provided for by Ukrainian law," - it is emphasized in messages .

 The SAP noted that "the information and materials received as part of the pre-trial investigation and related to the competition for the election of members of the Supreme Judicial Council will be provided at the request of the High Council of Justice, which has already been received and is being processed by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office."

 On May 15, Vsevolod Knyazev was arrested for a bribe totaling 2.7 million dollars. Such improper remuneration was supposed to contribute to the resolution of the issue in the case that was considered by the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court. It is about the case of ownership of 40.19% of Poltava Mining and Processing Plant (PGZK) Ferrexpo. By its decision, the body left the said shares to Zhevago-related companies, canceling the invalidation of purchase and sale contracts concluded 20 years ago.

As confirmed by NABU, the Chairman of the Supreme Court Vsevolod Knyazev received money from people who supported the court's decision in favor of the oligarch, ex-owner of the bank "Finance and Credit" and former People's Deputy Kostyantyn Zhevago.

 In particular, the case involves a certain bar association, which in fact was a kind of back office and acted as an intermediary in the organization of bribes for judges. Under the guise of attorney services and legal support, group members agreed with judges to make decisions in favor of their "clients" (individuals or legal entities) for a certain fee.

 Sessions in the case were adjourned several times to agree on the details of the transfer-receipt of the bribe.

 It is noted that on May 3, the members of the criminal organization received the first tranche, and on May 15, the second part was transferred, which was actually recorded at the crime scene with the participation of the head of the Supreme Court, NABU head Serhiy Kryvonis said.

 On May 16, the Plenum of the Supreme Court passed a decision to terminate Knyazev's powers as the head of the court. He remains a judge of the Supreme Court, but is detained. In the near future, the court should also choose a preventive measure for him, at the same time, it is impossible to do this without the permission of the Supreme Council of Justice.

 At its meeting on May 18, the Supreme Council of Justice is considering the request of the SAP to grant permission to detain the former head of the Supreme Court, Vsevolod Knyazev.