The Supreme Court has opened the way for the dismissal of Izovitova’s daughter
The Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court overturned a decision in favour of Olena Izovitova-Vakim, whom Zelensky had appointed to a permanent judicial post two days earlier. The High Council of Justice can now consider the submission on her dismissal.
Izovitova-Vakim is the daughter of Lidiia Izovitova, Viktor Medvedchuk’s associate, who has headed the National Bar Association for 14 years and appointed Attorney+ Andrii Yermak as chair of one of its committees.
On September 15, the President appointed Izovitova-Vakim to a permanent judicial post.
This is despite the fact that the High Qualifications Commission of Judges (HQCJ) found her unfit for her position back in 2024. In particular, because during the Revolution of Dignity the judge twice imposed unjustified restrictions on peaceful protests in Kharkiv.
Izovitova-Vakim appealed the decision finding her unfit, and the Supreme Court dragged out the consideration of this case for more than a year, even though case law on such matters is already well established. Therefore, a decision just two days after the judge’s permanent appointment looks like a direct reaction to the President’s actions.
After Iryna Mudra’s dismissal, Volodymyr Zelensky began appointing, en masse, judges about whom the Public Integrity Council had issued negative opinions. These include, in particular, the Maidan judges Maryna Lozynska and Taras Zaiets.
Zelensky also appointed Viktoriia Parnenko to a court of appeal. Her husband filed four identical lawsuits seeking reinstatement at work. One of them went to a judge whom the media described as Parnenko’s friend and co-godparent. She reinstated him in his position. And Parnenko’s future father-in-law, then still a member of the HQCJ, twice considered disciplinary complaints against her.
All of this fits into a series of decisions that point to a rollback of judicial reform. For example, the same HQCJ recently recommended placing six judges of the liquidated District Administrative Court of Kyiv in the court to which the cases of that same DACK had previously been transferred.
Moreover, Izovitova-Vakim will continue to issue rulings until she is dismissed. We call on the HCJ to consider this matter without delay.
