Compensated 2 million: a former customs officer won a lawsuit against the state due to a decade-long delay over a bribery case.

A Ukrainian man has filed a lawsuit seeking compensation for 10 years spent entangled in legal proceedings related to an bribery case. The individual, who worked at the customs service, was a suspect in the case due to 400 euros found in his jacket pocket. The judicial system took too long to reach decisions, prompting the defendant to seek over 2 million UAH in compensation. Details about the acquittal and the compensation claim were reported on the "Judicial Reporter" portal.

The portal reported on the decision of the Yavoriv District Court of Lviv Region No. 2/944/159/24, made on September 18, 2024. The court document indicates that the former customs officer filed a lawsuit against the State Treasury Service and the Lviv Regional Prosecutor's Office. He demanded more than 2 million UAH to compensate for 10 years of legal delays. This amount includes 2 million UAH for moral damages, 15 thousand UAH for travel expenses, and 123 thousand UAH for legal fees. According to the man, he had to spend the best years of his life proving his innocence, suffering from negative reactions from others and the inability to find a decent job. The court sided with the plaintiff and partially granted the claim, as mentioned in the article.

According to the text published in the Register of Judicial Decisions, the 23-year-old customs officer worked at the "Krakowiec" checkpoint and was detained in 2011 on suspicion of bribery. Another individual was also implicated in the case, who was ultimately found guilty. Meanwhile, the plaintiff, whose name has not been disclosed, was forced to sell his apartment to cover the bail (25 thousand UAH), pay for legal services, and travel to court from Dnipro, where he had relocated. For nearly 10 years (until 2020), he was under restrictive measures, only leaving home for hearings, investigations, and examinations. He also had to work in construction, despite having a higher education from the Customs Academy. The citizen experienced a lack of normal social interactions due to public prejudice against bribery suspects.

The court considered the plaintiff's arguments and largely agreed with the compensation claims. The ruling states that the now 37-year-old Ukrainian will receive 2 million UAH from the treasury for moral damages, along with all expenses for travel and attorney fees.

Meanwhile, the "Judicial Reporter" portal found a criminal case regarding bribery, likely related to events at "Krakowiec" (the names of the suspects are unknown). It is mentioned that one suspect was found guilty and served five years in prison. Another stated that a colleague asked him to hold a package, which contained 400 euros. Later, the second suspect was declared innocent and, in addition, received a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights — a compensation of 1,800 euros for the excessively lengthy process.

It should be noted that in October, the State Bureau of Investigations reported suspicions of receiving illegal benefits against the head of the Khmelnytsky Regional Medical and Social Commission (MSEC). During a search of her home, 6 million dollars were discovered. According to the court's decision, the suspect was arrested with the possibility of bail set at 500 million UAH.

We remind you that on October 17, fugitive MP Andrey Odarchenko discussed the circumstances of an attempted bribery during a session of the High Anti-Corruption Court, involving the then-head of the State Recovery Agency, Mustafa Nayyem.