1,83 promille behind the wheel: The HRC temporarily suspended the head of the Economic Court of Ternopil region, Hevko

1,83 promille behind the wheel: The HRC temporarily suspended the head of the Economic Court of Ternopil region, Hevko

The head of the Economic Court of Ternopil region, Volodymyr Hevko, who was earlier found guilty of driving a vehicle while intoxicated, has been temporarily suspended from judicial duties.

Volodymyr Hevko was suspended until the next session of the High Council of Justice, where his case will be considered separately. Members of the HRC will decide either to dismiss the judge from his position or to overturn the Disciplinary Chamber’s decision. Earlier the judge fully admitted his guilt.

The incident occurred on 4 January 2024 of 23:15 year: in Ternopil police stopped Hevko while he was driving a Kia Sportage. A sobriety test showed 1,83 ‰ blood alcohol, which is more than nine times the permissible limit.

An administrative report was drawn up against the judge for driving a vehicle while intoxicated and the case was sent to court. On 19 March the Ternopil court found Volodymyr Hevko guilty and imposed a fine of 17 thousand hryvnias, and also deprived him of the right to drive vehicles for one year. On 16 April 2024 the Ternopil Court of Appeal left the first-instance court’s decision unchanged.

Hevko was first elected head of the Economic Court of Ternopil region in 2023. He was unanimously re-elected head of the court in March 2024.

Since 2003 he has taught at the Interregional Academy of Personnel Management in Ternopil region, and since 2005 he has also taught at the National School of Judges of Ukraine.