Corruption16 May 2023 19:30
Lots happening behind the scenes.
"Brussels has made fighting corruption a precondition for Kyiv to join the 27-member European Union. Despite progress in recent years, Ukraine ranks 116th out of 180 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index.
Dzerkalo Tyzhnia quoted its source as saying the money came from backers of Ukrainian billionaire Kostyantyn Zhevago, who was arrested in France in December at Kyiv's request in relation to embezzlement charges.
The businessman told the court he did nothing wrong and should not be extradited.
The money had come from supporters of a court decision in April that favored pellet producer Ferrexpo Plc, Dzerkalo Tyzhnia quoted its source as saying. It said another 18 Supreme Court judges who heard the Ferrexpo case were now being searched.
He said that after the decision of the Supreme Court on April 19 in favor of Ferrexpo, in early May, a lawyer – a member of this criminal group – received instructions from the leadership of the Supreme Court to distribute this unlawful benefit among the judges."