In Dnipro, a judge has unlawfully seized a local woman's apartment (PHOTO)

The Security Service and the State Bureau of Investigation have uncovered a judge from Dnipro, who is suspected of unlawfully seizing an apartment he rented from a local resident. This was reported by "Vідомо," referencing the SBU and DBR.

According to the case materials, to execute the transaction, he initially rented this property in the center of Dnipro and for six months failed to pay the corresponding amount for his actual residence. Furthermore, under fabricated pretexts, the judge prevented the apartment's owner from entering, as she attempted to meet with him and clarify the reasons for the lack of rental payment.

Subsequently, the official forged documents, in which he "added" that he allegedly purchased the property from the victim for 412 thousand hryvnias.

Then, the suspect filed a civil lawsuit to have the contract recognized as valid. As evidence in court, a forged receipt from the property owner was presented, which supposedly confirmed she received 412 thousand hryvnias for the sale of the apartment. However, the woman stated that she had not received any money and had not signed any documents. Handwriting analysis corroborated her claims: the signature on the receipt was found to be forged. Another expert examination determined that the real market value of the apartment is approximately 1 million UAH.

As the investigation revealed, the court issued a default ruling, which satisfied the claims of the official and recognized his ownership rights to the respective property.

During searches at the judge's residences and workplace, computers, mobile phones, rough notes, and work documentation providing evidence of the transaction were discovered.

Law enforcement officials have informed the suspect of charges under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

• part 5 of article 190 (fraud committed on a particularly large scale);
• part 2 of article 384 (misleading the court or another authorized body for selfish reasons).

The perpetrator faces up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.

A motion has also been prepared for the High Council of Justice to obtain permission to hold the judge in custody and to suspend him from justice.

The investigation continues to establish all circumstances of the crime and to return the property to its rightful owner.