Appeal Sided with the Journalists in Hlobach's Lawsuit — a Tax Official from the Yanukovych Era

Kyiv Court of Appeal has canceled the decision of the Pechersky District Court of Kyiv in a defamation case brought by former head of the tax police Andriy Holovach seeking to protect his honor, dignity, and business reputation. The appellate instance issued a new ruling, fully denying the plaintiff's claim. This is reported by Glavkom, citing the Kyiv Court of Appeal.

screenshot from kas.gov.ua

The case concerned remarks by businessman Oleh Averianov made during an interview on one of the TV channels, as well as a comment by journalist Roman Bochkala. Holovach considered the disseminated information to be untrustworthy and to violate his honor, dignity, and business reputation.

“The courts are in session. Yes, former head of the tax police Andriy Holovach, who during the times of the Regions collected tribute in the form of percentages from Ukrainian enterprises, filed a defamation suit against me and several media to protect his honor, dignity, and business reputation with what is described as the most humane Pechersk Court in the world. At the same time, over four years of proceedings, Holovach himself never appeared at any hearing — evidently understanding the groundlessness and futility of his claims,” the journalist stated in December 2024 year.

9 December 2024 year, the Pechersky District Court of Kyiv granted Holovach's claim, finding some of Averianov’s and Bochkala’s statements to be untrustworthy and violating the plaintiff's honor and dignity. The defendants appealed this decision, and in October 2025 year an appellate proceeding was opened.

During the appeal proceedings, the defendants' representatives stated a violation of procedural law by the first-instance court. Holovach's representative, Maksym Kolosar, objected to the satisfaction of the complaints and insisted on the legality of the previous decision.

As a result of the review, the panel of judges granted Averianov’s and Bochkala’s appellate complaints, canceled the Pechersky district court’s decision, and issued a new ruling fully denying Andriy Holovach’s claim.

The decision came into force after being announced, but it can be challenged in cassation within 30 days. According to Stopkor, another two similar lawsuits by Holovach against media representatives are being considered by the Obolon District Court of Kyiv.

As a reminder, Glavkom previously wrote that Andriy Holovach headed the tax police in 2010–2014 years. In 2016 year he was detained in a case related to illegal VAT refunding of over 3 billion UAH. Later Holovach reached a plea deal with the investigation, and 130 million UAH was paid to the state budget. In 2018 year the court early discharged his criminal record.