Old malpractices are back in Ukraine’s Judicial System: Unveiled Pressure & Interference
Judicial and law enforcement pressure is still used in Ukraine to promote private interests
The rule of law and independence of the judicial system are integral for Ukraine’s democracy, the country’s tenacious fight against corruption, as well as for attracting much needed foreign investments. Back in 2019, these were also important messages of new Ukraininan president Volodymyr Zelensky in his historic presidential campaign. Zelensky, a famous comedian-turned-president overnight, promised to “drain the swamp” and inhibit personal connections in official decision-making processes. One of the recent Supreme Court decisions as well as permanent Ukrainian security service pressure on business, however, can’t help but leave one pondering on the delivery of these commitments.
A newcomer in politics, President Zelensky surrounded himself with a plethora of former business partners, friends, and trusted acquaintances. Now, it appears that the president’s entourage affected a curious court decision, which might serve as a red flag warning about the lack of independence in Ukraine’s judiciary. The decision concerned a Ukrainian company called T.M.M. and its — quite significant — debts to a series of local banks. While the story might appear rather inconsequential on the grand scale, the case may serve as a precedent and result in a…
