On Friday, April 17, the Office of the Prosecutor General officially announced its intention to appeal the lenient verdict handed down to former Kyiv City Council deputy Yaryna Aryeva. The Obolonskyi District Court of Kyiv found the ex-official guilty of causing a traffic accident that resulted in severe bodily injuries to a pedestrian but sentenced her to probation instead of real jail time. The prosecution strongly disagrees with the ruling, insisting that the evidence of drug intoxication warrants a much harsher penalty.
The high-profile accident occurred on the evening of November 27, 2022. According to the investigation, Aryeva was driving a Volkswagen Polo along Stepan Bandera Avenue in Kyiv. Approaching an unregulated pedestrian crossing, the driver failed to assess the changing road conditions, did not reduce her speed, and struck a woman crossing the street. The impact caused severe trauma to the victim, requiring long-term medical care. Amid the ensuing public scandal and ongoing criminal investigation, Aryeva voluntarily resigned from her position in the Kyiv City Council in the summer of 2023.
The most contentious issue during the trial was the state of the driver at the moment of the crash. The prosecution provided a narcologist’s report and toxicological expertise results, which confirmed the presence of cannabis metabolites in the defendant’s system. Based on these findings, prosecutors demanded that Aryeva be convicted under Part 2 of Article 286-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violating traffic safety rules while driving under the influence of drugs). They requested a sentence of 6.5 years in prison along with an 8-year ban on driving any vehicles.
However, the court took a different stance. The judge ruled that the presence of metabolites alone did not prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the driver was in a state of narcotic intoxication at the exact time of the accident. Consequently, the court reclassified the charge to Part 2 of Article 286 (traffic violation without intoxication). Under this softer classification, Aryeva was sentenced to 5 years in prison with a 3-year driving ban. Utilizing Article 75 of the Criminal Code, the judge immediately suspended the prison term, placing her on a 3-year probation. The court also ordered the release of her previously impounded vehicle.
The prosecutor’s office emphasized that this decision undermines the principles of justice and accountability, especially for individuals holding public office. The prosecution is currently preparing the necessary documents to challenge the verdict in the appellate court. They intend to reinstate the original charges of driving under the influence and secure a real prison sentence.
This legal battle has captured the attention of Ukrainian society, highlighting ongoing concerns about the fairness and transparency of the judicial system. As the case moves to the appellate level, it will serve as a crucial indicator of how effectively the courts handle cases involving politicians and public figures amid growing demands for equality before the law.