Permanent Appointment Despite Decision Against Maidan Protesters: The High Council of Justice Reviews Judge Maryna Shakhovnina's Candidacy

Judge Marina Shakhovnya, of the Podilskyi District Court in Kyiv, who issued rulings concerning participants of the Revolution of Dignity, today is seeking a permanent appointment. Her candidacy is being considered by the High Council of Justice after the corresponding recommendation from the Qualification Commission of Judges.

This is reported by the High Council of Justice. A meeting regarding the VKKS recommendation to appoint Shakhovnya to the position of judge of the Podilskyi District Court is scheduled for 6 October 2026 of the year.

Shakhovnya was appointed judge of the Podilskyi District Court in 2012 year for a term of 5 years. She continues to work at this court.

During the Revolution of Dignity, in winter of 2014 year, Shakhovnya at least in three cases deprived protesters of the right to drive a vehicle for 3 months.

One of the most resonant cases concerned Serhiy Sesyk. 24 of January 2014 year he was held liable for allegedly failing to stop as required by the police. The case materials referenced various vehicle license plates, and there was no evidence that Sesyk was the one driving. The hearing occurred without his participation.

Subsequently, it was established that the report on which the decision was based had been falsified.

During the qualification assessment, Shakhovnya explained that she perceived these materials as ordinary cases of administrative violation of traffic rules. According to her, there was no information in the cases about drivers’ participation in the protests.

Separately, questions arose regarding her integrity declaration for 2016 year. In the document, the judge did not indicate that she had issued rulings in cases related to Maidan. In 2018 year the VKKS found the submitted information misleading. At the same time, the High Council of Justice did not hold Shakhovnya administratively liable then, deeming the situation an error.

A new integrity assessment was approved by the NGO Integrity Council on 20 October 2025 year. It concluded that Shakhovnya did not meet the standards of integrity and professional ethics.

In addition to Maidan cases and declarations, Greda (the NGO) raised issues about the untimely declaration of real estate, passing the lustration check, circumstances of electing Shakhovnya as head of the Podilskyi District Court, and academic integrity. In particular, there was mention of similarity between certain fragments of her doctoral dissertation 2020 year and the work of another author.

Despite the GRD’s conclusion, the VKKS, following the qualification assessment, found Shakhovnya to meet the requirements for the position. 11 members voted in favor, 4 were against. In July 2025 year the VKKS collegium determined that the question of the judge’s conformity should be considered by the Commission’s plenary.

Now the final decision on the recommendation for her appointment as a judge of the Podilskyi District Court of Kyiv is being considered by the High Council of Justice.