Knyazev complained about pressure from "Western partners" regarding the allocation of grants for the judicial system
Former Chairman of the Supreme Court Vsevolod Knyazev in an interview with Babel told about the "misunderstanding" with Western partners regarding the use of grant funds for the judicial system and provided examples that, in his opinion, indicate a possible conflict of interest on the part of certain managers of donor programs. That is why he did not approach them when he felt pressure from former Deputy Yermak Andriy Smirnov.
«There were also certain misunderstandings with Western partners regarding, say, the ways they wanted the money, provided as grants for the judicial system, to be used. Corruption is everywhere», – noted Knyazev.
Journalists noted that they repeatedly heard at meetings that ofrеk, that Western partners often have their own opinion about fair verdicts in resonant cases. And that their wishes regarding this can also be interpreted as pressure. But Knyazev did not confirm the adoption of decisions "at the partners' wish".
«No, this is not about decisions. This is about money.
You know, when an informal manager from an international partner organization says that we will allocate money for the judicial system, but they must go to certain purposes and this work must be carried out by this firm, conditionally, from Lithuania. Then, for example, it becomes clear that this firm may be connected to that manager. Well, such things happen. And from this, certain misunderstandings began to arise», – said the former head of the Supreme Court.
According to the investigation, NABU and SAPO accuse Vsevolod Knyazev of receiving $2.7 million in bribes for resolving a case in the Supreme Court in favor of businessman Kostiantyn Zhevago. The case is being considered by the High Anti-Corruption Court; the process is at the stage of substantive review — evidence is being examined and witnesses are being questioned. Knyazev himself denies guilt and calls the persecution politically motivated.
