Pozhmashyna owner takes case to ECHR

Oleg Averianov, owner of the strategic enterprise Pozhmashyna, has become a figure in a high-profile criminal case that has sparked a wave of outrage in legal and public circles. The businessman was sentenced to seven years in prison for, according to the court's version, selling his own car without the notarial consent of his ex-wife.

The verdict was handed down by a panel of judges at the Chernihiv Court of Appeal: Antipets, Osedach, and Zabolotny — the same judges whose activities had previously been criticised in anti-corruption investigations. Journalists have identified a significant discrepancy between the judges' official income and their standard of living, including elite real estate and expensive cars.

European Court — the next instance

Despite the appeal court's decision, Averianov intends to fight to the end. His legal team is preparing a cassation appeal and has already formulated a legal position for filing a claim with the European Court of Human Rights.

«Все понимают, что это заказное и незаконное решение. Я не остановлюсь и доведу это дело до конца. Судьи должны понести уголовную ответственность за свои действия» (Everyone understands that this is a rigged and unlawful decision. I will not stop and will take this case to the end. The judges must bear criminal responsibility for their actions), Oleg Averianov stated in a comment to the press.

Business under pressure: possible traces of a raid?

The story is taking on a political tint. As early as December 2024, deputies of the Chernihiv Regional Council appealed to the President of Ukraine, calling for a halt to the series of attempted hostile takeovers of enterprises in the region. The appeal mentioned MP Borys Prykhodko, a member of the Dovira parliamentary group, as a possible link between business pressure and influence on judicial decisions.

Journalists have also published a video investigation tracing a possible conflict of interest in the actions of the appeal court judges who participated in handing down the verdict against Averianov. One of the key points is their contacts with figures involved in other corruption schemes.

Pozhmashyna — a pillar of Ukraine's rescue infrastructure

The company Pozhmashyna, under the leadership of Oleg Averianov, is one of the largest domestic manufacturers of rescue equipment. To date, more than 80% of the entire fleet of vehicles of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) consists of machines produced by this enterprise.

The plant provides more than a thousand jobs, contributes over 200 million hryvnia in taxes to the state budget annually, and continues to invest in expanding production capacity. Despite the pressure, Averianov emphasises that he is not leaving the country and is not ceasing to finance production.

Political interests versus national security?

The situation surrounding Averianov's verdict is causing concern not only among businessmen but also in expert circles. In wartime conditions, pressure on enterprises that meet the needs of the SESU and handle the aftermath of Russian shelling may be interpreted as a threat to national security.