Volyn district court judge may be dismissed over bribery
Judge of the Rozhyshchenskyi District Court of the Volyn region, Ivan Silich, who was caught taking a bribe, has been suspended from his position. He faces dismissal. The Second Disciplinary Chamber of the High Council of Justice made the corresponding decision.
According to the investigation, Judge Ivan Silich, together with an accomplice, demanded a bribe from a local resident for making the necessary decision in a civil case. It was about 17 thousand UAH and $400. The suspects divided the received money among themselves. To hide the crime, one part of the bribe was exchanged at a currency exchange office, and the other part was exchanged with another acquaintance.
Law enforcement officers exposed the judge on July 15, 2025. His actions were qualified under four articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, in particular, for extortion of unlawful benefit and fraud. Ivan Silich was given a preventive measure in the form of a 605 thousand UAH bail, which was paid for him on July 21.
The judge's case was referred to the High Anti-Corruption Court. In August 2025, the High Council of Justice also temporarily suspended him from administering justice.
According to the public organization "Automaidan", the judge did not appear at today's hearing due to outpatient treatment. This is the third time he has failed to appear, so the case was considered without him. Initially, the hearing was planned for November, but then Silic asked for time to familiarize himself with the materials. In December, he did not come again, explaining this by inpatient treatment and surgery.
During the discussion, some issues related to the use of criminal proceedings materials in a disciplinary case. Chamber member Serhiy Burlakov did not support the motion for dismissal and stated that he would prepare a separate opinion.
The final decision on the judge's dismissal must now be made by the High Council of Justice. However, Ivan Silic can still file a complaint against the decision of the disciplinary chamber.
Let us remind you that Ivan Silich is a person involved in the EBK base.
Earlier, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office sent an indictment to the court against the head of one of the district courts of the Volyn region and an intermediary for incitement to provide illegal benefits and misappropriation of funds by fraud. According to media reports, this concerns the head of the Rozhyshchenskyi District Court of Volyn, Ivan Silich, and the intermediary, Oleh Panchenko.
