Kniaziev was detained and dismissed from his position in May 2023 after he was charged with accepting a $2.7 million bribe to rule in favor of Ukrainian billionaire Kostyantyn Zhevago.

He was released from detention after paying Hr 18 million bail (around $450,000) in January but remains suspended from administering justice until the verdict or the closure of the case.

The High Council of Justice's statement referred to a different case connected to Kniaziev. In December 2023, the judge was found guilty by a court in Kyiv of illegally accepting a gift after it was revealed he was renting an apartment in an elite neighborhood in the capital for Hr 1,000 ($25) a month.

The disciplinary case was opened based on complaints received by the council, including from the National Agency on Corruption Prevention.

"The First Disciplinary Chamber of the High Council of Justice believes that the circumstances described in the complaints carry signs of disciplinary misconduct" on Knaiziev's part, the statement read.

Ukraine’s judicial reform relaunch shows mixed results so far
In late 2023, Ukraine finally re-launched the process of vetting judges as part of a long anticipated judicial reform – a key condition for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. Four months later, the results are mixed. On the one hand, the High Qualification Commission, a top judicial body,…
Judiciary council opens disciplinary proceedings against ex-Supreme Court chief

Content Original Link:

https://kyivindependent.com/judiciary-council-opens-disciplinary-proceedings-into-ex-supreme-court-chief/