The Collegium of Judges of the Leninsky District Court of Kharkov, formed after today's next self-challenge of the judicial troika, also refused to participate in the consideration of the case. It is impossible to organize a new college, informs MediaPort.

Like the previous panel, the new three justified their decision "by circumstances that raise doubts about the possibility of an unbiased consideration by all judges of the Leninsky District Court".

As it became known in the course of today's meeting, law enforcement officers opened criminal proceedings "on the fact that the judges of the Leninsky District Court received an unlawful gain" related to the case of the ex-mayor of Slavyansk Neli Shtepy. To the grounds for rejection of the judge, the family situation of one of the members of the college.

"According to the provision of art.. 75 CPC of Ukraine, there are grounds for self-withdrawal. In addition, Judge Evtifiev, who is a migrant from the ATU zone where his mother and other close relatives currently reside, declares that it is impossible to participate in this criminal proceeding for fear of their life and health, which affects his bias and objectivity ", - read out the statement presiding in the panel.

The prosecution objected to the satisfaction of self-withdrawal. "Criminal proceedings, which are referred to in the application for self-withdrawal, are factual, not with respect to specific individuals. The judges mentioned earlier did not take part in the consideration of any issues that are relevant to the case, which is being considered now, "said the prosecutor.

Accused and defended self-defense supported.

After the break, the judges, who considered the application for self-withdrawal, satisfied him.

Now in the Leninsky district court there are no more three judges who could consider the Shtepa case, the Kharkov Regional Prosecutor's Office.

"Tomorrow the case will be sent to the Court of Appeal to determine a new court, where this case will be heard," the press service of the prosecutor's office said..

The courts and the composition of the judges in the Shtepy case have changed. A year ago, the judge of Chervonozavodsky District Court Viktor Yezhov announced his self-challenge, after it became known that criminal proceedings had been opened against him in his case. 258-3 (assistance to the activities of a terrorist organization). In July 2017, Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor Yury Danilchenko, responding to a question from journalists about the progress of the investigation, said that there were no suspects in this case.