Serving a Notice of Suspicion to Chernyshov Impact on Judges and Public Reaction

A notice of suspicion is an official procedural act that means a person has been formally informed of being suspected of committing a crime. In Ukraine, this procedure is regulated by the Criminal Procedure Code and requires that the suspect be informed of the nature of the suspicion, their rights, and obligations. The delivery of this notice marks the beginning of a new stage in the criminal process, after which investigative actions may intensify, and the suspect obtains procedural status with the associated guarantees of legal defense.

Suspicion Against Oleksii Chernyshov: Facts and Context

On June 23, 2025, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) announced a suspicion against Deputy Prime Minister — Minister of National Unity Oleksii Chernyshov. He is suspected of abuse of office and receiving unlawful benefits in an especially large amount for himself and others in a case involving the allocation of land plots in Kyiv for construction purposes.

According to the investigation, other individuals close to Chernyshov were already suspects in this case — including his former advisor, a former state secretary of the Ministry of Regional Development, and a Kyiv-based developer. Chernyshov stated that he voluntarily appeared before NABU, had a constructive dialogue with the detectives, and confirmed his willingness to cooperate with law enforcement.

Media Coverage: Influence on Public Opinion and the Judicial System

The role of the media in covering high-profile criminal cases is extremely significant. On one hand, transparency and access to information increase public trust in the judicial system, promote societal oversight, and help shape informed public opinion. On the other hand, excessive emotionality, manipulations, or distortions in the media can misrepresent reality and foster bias — both in society and among judges.

In Ukraine, especially during wartime and political turbulence, the media space is extremely sensitive to such news. The media actively cover not only the facts of the notice of suspicion but also the personal circumstances of those involved (e.g., Chernyshov’s family traveling abroad), the political context, and the reactions of other officials. This creates additional pressure on those involved in the case, including law enforcement and the judiciary.

Media Influence on Judicial Impartiality

Judicial independence is a key prerequisite for fair justice. However, judges, like any people, are not isolated from society and media influence. Media publications, especially those with negative or accusatory tones, can shape judges’ views about a case even before the trial is concluded.Below in the video, the team of attorneys from WINNER Law Firm is defending clients at the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine.