Investigative Committee seeks approval for criminal case against retired judge Dovbnya

Russia’s Investigative Committee chief Alexander Bastrykin has asked the High Qualification Board of Judges to approve a criminal case against Alexander Dovbnya, the agency said on October 13.

Dovbnya is a retired judge of the Starominskaya District Court in Krasnodar region. Investigators allege offences involving bribes and an unlawful judicial decision.

According to the committee, he received 100,000 rubles from lawyer Roman Popov on November 21, 2024, for a ruling in a land dispute. The ruling required the municipal administration to sell a plot to the claimant and was later overturned as unlawful.

Investigators also allege that on March 25, 2025, Dovbnya received a bribe from Ovanes Kocharyan through Popov to establish a legal fact needed for a residence permit.

The committee seeks a case involving bribery, an unlawful ruling and petty bribery. Its request does not mean the board has already approved proceedings or that Dovbnya has been convicted.