The Sviatoshynskyi District Court of Kyiv has issued a verdict against Oleksiy Tandyr, the former head of the Makariv District Court. The court found him guilty of causing a fatal traffic accident while driving under the influence of alcohol and sentenced him to nine years in prison. The crash, which occurred in May 2023, resulted in the death of 22-year-old National Guard serviceman Vadym Bondarenko.
Circumstances of the Crash
The tragedy took place late in the evening on May 25, 2023, at a checkpoint at the entrance to Kyiv. According to the investigation, Tandyr, driving a Lexus at high speed, struck the National Guard member. The serviceman sustained injuries incompatible with life and died at the scene. At the time of the incident, Tandyr held the position of head of the Makariv District Court.
Investigation Scandal
The investigation into the case was accompanied by a series of scandals. Experts established that after his detention, the judge attempted to deceive the investigation by providing water and saliva instead of biological samples for analysis. Nevertheless, Tandyr's state of alcohol intoxication was later officially confirmed. During the investigation, the court remanded him in custody.
Bail and Court Proceedings
In January, the court allowed Tandyr to be released from the pre-trial detention center on bail set at 20 million hryvnias, and in February, changes were made to the bail conditions. The case was heard over several years and remained in the public spotlight throughout this time, primarily due to the status of the accused and the circumstances of the investigation.
The Verdict
Ultimately, the Sviatoshynskyi District Court handed down a guilty verdict: nine years in prison for a fatal traffic accident committed while intoxicated. The court's decision puts an end to the high-profile case, in which the key issue at all stages was confirming the fact of the accused's intoxication and attempts to influence the course of the examination.
