A former judge from Makarov is suspected of being involved in a scheme to seize the flats of deceased people
The State Bureau of Investigations has reported that it has uncovered a scheme involving the illegal appropriation of flats belonging to deceased citizens, in which, according to the investigation, a former judge from the town of Makarov is implicated.
The former judge in question was involved in a road traffic accident at a checkpoint in Kyiv in May 2023, which resulted in the death of a soldier.
The investigation established that the scheme to seize flats operated between 2021 and 2023. During this time, the group’s members took possession of five flats in the Odesa and Kyiv communities.
Furthermore, according to law enforcement, they attempted to acquire another flat, but the deceased owner had an heir, which prevented them from carrying out their plan.
According to the investigation, the group’s members sought out flats whose owners had died and left no heirs.
They would then draw up fictitious sale and purchase agreements and transfer ownership to trusted individuals via forged court rulings.
Investigators believe that a former judge, his lawyer and a former bailiff were the organisers of the scheme.
To secure the necessary court rulings, two other members filed civil claims for the alleged recovery of multi-million-pound debts on loans. The case files mentioned flats that had previously been unlawfully seized from deceased owners.
According to the investigation, the group’s activities were clearly organised.
The participants in the scheme created fictitious debts between controlled entities, filed forged claims in court and obtained rulings to recover non-existent debts.
Subsequently, through the enforcement service, they seized the flats, registered ownership and sold the property to third parties.
The investigation believes that a former judge of the Makariv District Court issued rulings based on knowingly forged documents.
Five suspects have now been notified of their status as suspects for involvement in a criminal organisation. The judge, whom the investigation considers to be one of the organisers of the scheme, has also been named as a suspect.
Pre-trial measures have been imposed on all suspects. The former judge has been remanded in custody without the right to bail.
The offence carries a sentence of up to 12 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.
The State Bureau of Investigation stated that it was the investigation into a road traffic accident at a checkpoint in Kyiv in May 2023 that enabled law enforcement officers to uncover the scheme involving the illegal seizure of apartments belonging to deceased citizens.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.
