Ukrainian Serhiy Semeniuk launches legal action against journalist for being mentioned in the exposé

Location: Ukraine
Date: October 3, 2023

Serhiy Semeniuk files lawsuit against journalist Yanina Korniienko and Slidstvo.Info and attempts to manipulate the case distribution system to ensure a favorable judge hears his case. Semeniuk alleges damage to his reputation after the outlet exposed Russian-connected cleaning companies service strategic Ukrainian facilities. The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly condemns this attempt to silence investigative journalism through baseless legal proceedings. We urge the court to dismiss this case against Korniienko and Slidstvo.Info promptly. 

On October 6, 2023, investigative outlet Slidstvo.Info announced their publication, and journalist Yanina Korniienko, is being sued by Serhiy Semeniuk, an alleged associate of Russian businessman Eduard Apsit. Semeniuk filed a defamation lawsuit after being mentioned in Korniienko's investigation.

Korniienko's report uncovered that cleaning firms connected to Russian businessman Eduard Apsit have been providing services to important Ukrainian facilities like Ukrzaliznytsia, 

Ukrenergo, and the tax office. It also revealed that these firms have serviced the Kremlin Palace in Russia and operated in occupied Crimea, cleaning barracks belonging to the Black Sea Fleet. Given the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, there are concerns about possible espionage or security threats posed by these firms operating in Ukraine.

The investigation specifically alleged that Semeniuk was associated with Eduard Apsit, a businessman with Russian and Belarusian citizenship who participated in the military cleaning market alongside Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner Group, after the annexation of Crimea. Semeniuk vehemently denies any involvement with Apsit and his company.

Since filing the lawsuit, Semeniuk's legal team has employed tactics to manipulate the court system. It has been alleged they repeatedly submitted and withdrew applications in the electronic case distribution system until they secured a judge of their choosing, raising serious doubts about the fairness and transparency of the legal proceedings.

The inclusion of a mysterious defendant named Vladislav Hrindak in the lawsuit also raises suspicions. Hrindak, an unknown person who created an Instagram account just a month after the publication of the investigative report, is registered in the same district as the court where the case is being heard. It is believed that Hrindak's involvement was orchestrated to ensure that the case would be directed to the preferred court and judge.

To add to the concerns, the judge assigned to the case has chosen to conduct the trial through correspondence without summoning the involved parties in person. This further raises doubts about the proceedings' impartiality and the judicial system's integrity.

Various journalists and experts have doubts about the lawsuit's fairness and are hopeful for a just legal resolution. The court proceedings are still ongoing.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly urges the court to dismiss the case against Yanina Korniienko and Slidstvo.Info immediately. They also call on the court to recognize the tactics used to manipulate the judicial system and ensure a fair and transparent resolution to this case.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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