The Svyatoshynsky District Court of Kyiv on October 29 sentenced former judge of the Makariv District Court of Kyiv Oblast Oleksiy Tandir to nine years of imprisonment for a fatal traffic accident at a checkpoint. The court found him guilty of violating traffic rules while intoxicated, resulting in the death of a serviceman of the National Guard of Ukraine.
This was reported by the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office.
In addition to imprisonment, the court deprived Tandir of the right to drive vehicles for ten years. According to information from Babel from the courtroom, it was also ruled to recover 40 million hryvnias in compensation for moral damage in favor of the family of the deceased National Guard member.
The court included three years and five months, which Tandir had already spent in a pre-trial detention center, in the term of punishment. He currently remains in custody. The verdict has not yet entered into legal force and may be appealed.
The fatal accident occurred on the night of May 26, 2023, at a checkpoint at the entrance to Kyiv. At that time, Tandir, who held the position of judge, driving a Lexus ES350, hit 22-year-old National Guard serviceman Vadym Bondarenko. The serviceman died at the scene from his injuries.
According to the investigation, the driver was intoxicated. The examination established that he started braking only immediately before the collision, although road signs required reducing speed in advance.
The prosecutor's office also reported that after the accident, Tandir refused to undergo an intoxication test. During the forced collection of biological samples, he tried to substitute the materials with water and saliva. According to the prosecution, the former judge sought to avoid responsibility for driving while intoxicated.
The court proceedings lasted more than three years. According to the prosecutor's office, more than 50 hearings were missed due to motions by the defense, and the accused and his lawyers filed more than 30 recusals of the judge and prosecutor.
In addition, Tandir attempted to obtain release from custody for military service. The prosecutor's office objected, and the court did not grant the relevant motion. During the trial, Tandir denied his guilt and claimed the court was biased.
In August 2024, the High Council of Justice dismissed Tandir from the position of judge of the Makariv District Court of Kyiv Oblast.
Based on materials: Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office, "Babel", hromadske
