Political expert: Supreme Court's decision in the case of FSB agent Shepelev, accused of a series of contract killings, harms Ukraine's image
Kyiv • UNN
The decision of the Supreme Court of Ukraine to change the sentence of former MP Oleksandr Shepelev, accused of contract killings and high treason, was criticized as damaging the country's image and prompted calls for judicial reform.
The Supreme Court's decision to allow former spy MP Oleksandr Shepelev, accused of a series of contract killings and high treason, to escape from custody damages Ukraine's image. Therefore, the Supreme Court of Ukraine should be reformed and cleared of judges who grossly violate the law and undermine confidence in the judiciary. This was stated by political scientist Oleksandra Reshmedilova in an exclusive commentary to UNN.
Supreme Court judges Vyacheslav Marynych, Volodymyr Korol and Alla Makarovets considered the defense's cassation appeal against the verdict in Shepelev's case, changed his sentence and tried to release him in the case of bribery and escape from the pre-trial detention center. Prosecutor appealed the actions of the Supreme Court judges to the HCJ.
It's not just about damaging the image of the state, it's about internal sabotage, deep sabotage, if such things are revealed (like the Shepelev case - ed.)... If we establish facts of cooperation with the aggressor, some kind of connections, etc., intelligence should work here, directly clearing it all up. But in general, I want to emphasize that trust in the courts needs to be restored, because they make decisions that citizens must comply with. At all levels. If there is no trust in them, in courts and judges, then what are we talking about? There is no legitimacy, and people will simply sabotage these decisions, or they will move from instance to instance and simply delay decisions for years, when everyone has forgotten what the proceedings are about
She added that a survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) shows that courts and prosecutors have the lowest level of trust among the public.
"These are real problems. The root system has spread so far that it cannot be eradicated in six months or a year - it will take decades, but this does not mean that it should not be done," Reshmedilova said.
She reminded us that the reform of the judicial system in general is one of the key reforms that has been on the agenda for several political cycles.
"Reform of the Supreme Court is one of the most important elements, because the most important, even high-profile cases go there," Reshmedilova said.
She emphasized that it is impossible to realize Ukraine's European aspirations without a functioning judicial system, and that no democracy can be achieved.
"That is, it should not be a lame branch of government, but a full-fledged third branch of government - legislative, executive and judicial," the political scientist said.
Recall.
Earlier, it turned out that Shepelev was valuable to Russia because he was an agent of the Russian special services. This is evidenced by documents written by him. In particular, an explanatory note to the director of the FSB. This is also confirmed by his active position on justifying Russian aggression and the annexation of Crimea, which he expressed during communication with representatives of the FSB.
