The Peresypsky District Court of Odessa has suspended proceedings in the criminal case against Iryna Melnychenko, the former head of Geriatric and Psychiatric Ward No. 18 at the Odessa Regional Medical Centre for Mental Health, who is accused of abuse of influence and accepting bribes. The court’s decision of 16 March 2026 was based on a medical diagnosis of ‘multiple sclerosis’ and the defence’s claim that she required treatment. However, according to data from public registers, since the proceedings were suspended, the accused has continued to drive actively and has received fines for traffic offences.
Criminal proceedings No. 42024163030000036 have been initiated under Part 2 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (abuse of influence). According to the investigation, the 49-year-old official accepted monetary payments for admitting patients to a medical facility. Iryna Melnychenko is currently subject to a preventive measure in the form of a personal undertaking.
Vitalii Ruzhitskyi, a judge at the Peresypskyi District Court, ruled to suspend proceedings until the defendant has recovered. The defence was ordered to officially inform the court and the prosecution authorities once her course of treatment has been completed.
Despite her reported poor state of health, new entries concerning the defendant have appeared in the Unified Register of Enforcement Proceedings. Two enforcement proceedings have been opened against Iryna Melnychenko to recover fines for traffic offences:
EP No. 80888615 of 30 April 2026;
EP No. 74894576 dated 15 June 2026.
These facts indicate that the defendant continues to drive a vehicle herself during the period in which the hearing of her case has been suspended due to illness. This raises doubts as to the reliability of the medical report issued by the former head’s colleagues, which may constitute grounds for ordering a special forensic medical examination.
In parallel with the criminal proceedings, Melnichenko appealed against her dismissal from the Odesa Regional Mental Health Centre. On 16 December 2025, the same Peresypskyi District Court of Odesa quashed the order for her dismissal and reinstated her to her post.
At present, the public and human rights defenders are awaiting an official response from the Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office regarding the verification of the legality of the accused’s medical documents. Furthermore, the actions of Judge Vitalii Ruzhitskyi, who granted the application to stay the proceedings on the basis of this diagnosis, may be the subject of a disciplinary complaint before the High Council of Justice (HCJ).