Bribe-taking judge escapes punishment for aiding drug dealers

Oksana Trachova, a judge at the Savran District Court in Odesa Oblast, was at the centre of a corruption scandal as far back as 2013. She was charged with receiving a $3,700 bribe to mitigate the sentences of two defendants accused of drug trafficking.

The case against Trachova was heard for 12 years and reached the appellate court on two occasions. In 2015, she was sentenced to seven years in prison, while her accomplice received five years. However, this verdict was later overturned.

The collapse of the criminal case was due to errors by law enforcement agencies and gaps in the legislation. As a result, the court found Trachova not guilty, and she completely escaped liability.