Ukraine’s top judge said judges had left the courtroom to take up arms while Russia’s war in Ukraine continued.
“They have weapons in their hands and they are defending our motherland,” Chief Justice Vsevolod Kniaziev told CTV News’ Power Play channel. He told Power Play host Mike LeCouteur that judges from across the country’s justice system, including four from the supreme court, have joined the Ukrainian army.
“Moreover, we have 300 court staff currently [the] army,” said Chief Justice Kniaziev.
Chief Justice Kniaziev was in Ottawa for a global meeting of judges. He has appeared on Power Play alongside Chief Justice Richard Wagner of Canada.
Those who are not on the front lines are trying to keep the justice system running. He told Power Play that warnings of air strikes, missile attacks and runs to bunkers all hindered their work.
“It’s a really, really hard and unsafe job for judges now,” Kniaziev said.
Chief Justice Kniaziev talks about Ukrainian judges joining the army in the video at the top of this article.
