Mykola Chaus, a former Ukrainian judge who stashed $150,000 in bribes in pickle jars and fled to Moldova before being kidnapped and hauled back home, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for bribery and his assets confiscated by the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine. Chaus’ 2016 flight has been described as worthy of a Netflix thriller. After receiving $150,000 unlawfully and moving from apartment to apartment in neighbouring Moldova, his arrest finally came about after he was kidnapped by an unknown party from whom he claimed to have escaped when Ukrainian forces finally discovered him, wearing nothing but his underpants, in a remote village in the Western Ukraine.
The verdict from his trial was celebrated as a victory for Ukraine’s anti-corruption system. Chaus, who ruled in several political proceedings in favour of former President Petro Poroshenko’s allies, earned a notorious reputation after being caught with his stash in pickle jars in his wife’s garden and his own car. He initially denied the allegations and said he borrowed the hidden money to build a new house.
However, investigators said Chaus demanded a bribe from a married couple to deliver a milder sentence on the wife’s mother, who was charged with illegal trade in powerful medical substances.
Chaus pleaded not guilty and claimed the case against him was politically motivated.
