A ruling in Vovk’s favor will save around 20 other judges of the DACK

A decision by the Supreme Court in favour of Pavlo Vovk will create a domino effect—at least 18 judges of the liquidated District Administrative Court of Kyiv (DACK) may avoid dismissal.

Pavlo Vovk and his fellow DACK judges became notorious due to recordings made by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau in Vovk’s own office. In these recordings, they openly discuss corruption schemes, influence over state bodies, and the cynical seizure of control over the judiciary. Vovk and six other judges of this court are accused of creating a criminal organisation aimed at taking control of key judicial governance bodies. Vovk is now challenging his dismissal from the position of judge. His main argument is the alleged inadmissibility of using materials from criminal proceedings in disciplinary cases against him. However, it is established practice of both the Supreme Court and the High Council of Justice that such materials are admissible evidence.

How will this help others keep their robes?

If the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court sides with Pavlo Vovk, at least 18 other low-integrity judges from the DACK will be able to avoid dismissal using the same scheme.

Aliona Mazur has already been dismissed from her position as a judge. She was stripped of her robe for sabotaging the qualification assessment together with other DACK judges by falsely claiming illness on instructions from the court’s head, Pavlo Vovk. She also failed to report Vovk’s interference in her activities to the High Council of Justice and the Prosecutor General. Mazur has filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court seeking reinstatement. For deliberately ignoring the qualification assessment, Kostiantyn Pashchenko and Nataliia Shevchenko have also been referred for dismissal.

The High Council of Justice has also referred Yevhenii Ablov, Volodymyr Keleberda, and Ihor Kachur for dismissal.

The High Council of Justice has opened disciplinary cases against 12 DACK judges. The main evidence of their misconduct is also based on the NABU recordings. All of them faithfully followed Vovk’s instructions — helping him establish control over the High Council of Justice and the Constitutional Court, and to block the work of the High Qualification Commission of Judges. These individuals were preparing the return of Yanukovych amid the Russian invasion, issuing rulings banning peaceful protests during the Revolution of Dignity, and dismantling reforms in the country, including in the army.

A ruling by the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court in favour of Pavlo Vovk is not about a single controversial judge — it is about impunity and mutual cover-up, where some judges receive de facto immunity despite blatant violations of the law. We urge support in raising awareness and preventing the return of Pavlo Vovk, along with more than 50 judges from various courts who have been referred for dismissal based on materials from criminal proceedings.

Attend the hearing: April 9 (Thursday), 11:00

Address: 4a Pylypa Orlyka Street, Kyiv, Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court.