HACC approved a plea deal with former Supreme Court Chairman Kniaziev: what it entails

On June 8, 2026, the High Anti-Corruption Court approved a plea bargain between a SAPO prosecutor and the former Chairman of the Supreme Court, Vsevolod Kniaziev. The official was exposed in May 2023 for receiving an unlawful benefit on an especially large scale. This was reported by the Special Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, according to UNN.

Details

According to the report, the former Chairman of the Supreme Court fully admitted his guilt in the incriminated crime and also agreed to provide incriminating testimony against accomplices and serve a real prison sentence with confiscation of property.

By the verdict of the HACC, the former Chairman of the Supreme Court was found guilty of committing a crime under Part 4 of Art. 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. 

As punishment, the court sentenced the former official to:

- 5 years of actual imprisonment with disqualification from holding positions in judicial and law enforcement agencies for a term of three years;

- confiscation of an apartment and a house;

- confiscation of over 200,000 USD in personal savings;

- special confiscation of 1,248,700 USD, which were the subject of the unlawful benefit.

In addition, by agreement of the parties, the former Chairman of the Supreme Court Vsevolod Kniaziev will direct 1,104,600 USD to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine through the "Come Back Alive" charitable foundation. 

The agreement puts an end to this long process: the top official has officially admitted his guilt, his guilt has been proven, and he has received a real punishment. Furthermore, thanks to the agreement, the state received a powerful economic effect: the country's budget was replenished by 2,554,300 USD. This is over 113 million hryvnias! 

Recall

The former Chairman of the Supreme Court, Vsevolod Kniaziev, was detained for a bribe totaling 2.7 million dollars. This unlawful reward was intended to facilitate the resolution of a case being considered by the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court. The case concerns the ownership rights to 40.19% of the shares of the Poltava Mining and Processing Plant (PMPP) Ferrexpo. By its decision, the body left the specified shares to companies associated with Zhevago, overturning the invalidation of purchase and sale agreements concluded 20 years ago.

As confirmed by the NABU, the Chairman of the Supreme Court Vsevolod Kniaziev received money from people who advocated for a court decision in favor of the oligarch, former owner of the "Finance and Credit" bank and former MP Kostiantyn Zhevago.

In particular, a certain law firm figures in the case, which, in essence, was a kind of back-office and acted as an intermediary in organizing bribes for judges. Under the guise of legal services and legal support, members of the group negotiated with judges to pass decisions in the interests of their "clients" (individuals or legal entities) for a certain "reward."

Hearings in the case were postponed several times to coordinate the details of the bribe transfer and receipt.

It is noted that on May 3, 2023, members of the criminal organization received the first tranche, and on May 15, the second part was transferred, which was actually caught red-handed with the participation of the Supreme Court Chairman, said NABU Director Serhii Kryvonos.

On May 16, at a Plenary Session of the Supreme Court, a decision was made to terminate Kniaziev's powers as Chairman of the Court; additionally, the official was detained.