Insights

Crypto assets may be blocked for various reasons: KYC/AML/KYT checks, suspicious or unusual activity, the history of previous transactions, violations of platform rules, sanctions-related restrictions, a request from law enforcement authorities, or a court-ordered seizure. In practice, the problem often starts with a single message: “Your assets have been temporarily blocked.” Yet the same wording can describe completely different situations. Therefore, the first question is not how to unblock the cryptocurrency, but what exactly has been blocked, who blocked it, and on what grounds.

Until recently, a typical situation involved the publication of inaccurate information in a newspaper or on a news website. Today, a significant number of such disputes have moved to social media, messaging platforms, and other digital platforms. A single post can receive thousands of views within a few hours, be shared by dozens of users, appear in other media outlets, and then be deleted by its author. This raises not only the question of whether the information that was disseminated was false, but also how to prove that it was actually disseminated, who disseminated it, and what exactly was published.

The Internet has become an integral part of everyday life, while at the same time, the digital environment has become a space in which criminal offences are committed. Stealing money through phishing websites, gaining unauthorized access to accounts and information systems, distributing malicious software, extortion, and attacks on computer networks are just some examples. At the same time, the term “cybercrime” does not mean that every offence committed via the Internet is automatically classified under one of the cybercrime provisions.

Cryptocurrency has long ceased to be exclusively a tool for technology enthusiasts. Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, P2P transactions, and cryptocurrency exchanges have become part of the financial lives of many Ukrainians. This raises a very practical question: where should taxes on cryptocurrency be paid if it was purchased in Ukraine, held on a foreign exchange, and sold after moving to Europe? This question is becoming increasingly relevant. The reason is the launch of DAC8, the European system for the automatic exchange of tax information on crypto-assets.

Imagine the following situation: you are living in Ukraine or abroad, and suddenly you find out that information about you has been entered into Interpol’s database. Or worse still — you are detained at the airport and informed that you are wanted by the law enforcement authorities of another country. At that very moment, the mechanism of international search and extradition comes into effect. What should you do? Where should you turn? Is there any chance to protect yourself? This article explains what extradition and international search are and how to behave in such situations.

Based on statistical data from the last decade, Ukraine is among the top three countries in terms of the number of applications to the European Court of Human Rights. Only citizens of Turkey and the aggressor country filed more complaints than Ukrainians. The ECHR most frequently finds Ukraine in violation of the right to liberty and security, the right to an effective remedy, the prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment, issues related to the length of judicial proceedings, and the right to a fair trial.

In today's legal environment, where access to information can be crucial for the successful implementation of citizens' rights and interests, the lawyer's request becomes a necessary and indispensable tool in the hands of a lawyer. It allows obtaining important information and documents, thus playing a critically important role in ensuring justice and the effective legal protection of clients.

As shown by Google search statistics, users frequently search for information about what a pre-trial detention centre (SIZO) and a temporary detention facility (ITT) are, the differences between them, their internal rules, and what items can be sent to detainees. Typically, this information is sought by individuals who are likely to face criminal charges, detainees, suspects, or their close relatives and friends. Given that the legislation on this issue is quite extensive, we will try to briefly structure the information in this article.

In light of recent events, being summoned for questioning has become increasingly common. It might seem that if a person is not involved in any illegal activities, they can confidently attend the interrogation and tell the investigator or detective everything they are interested in. However, things are not so straightforward. As strange as it may sound, law enforcement officers are increasingly pursuing their own personal interests in each specific case, with the pursuit of truth and the actual resolution of the case often taking a back seat.

Sooner or later, the moment comes when a client chooses a lawyer who meets all their criteria (reputation, recommendations from acquaintances, a list of successful cases, inner conviction). Perhaps one of the main concerns for all clients when signing a contract is the cost of the lawyer's services (fees) and the payment options available.

Human and civil rights and freedoms are declared as one of the fundamental values in the system of national and international law. The European Court of Human Rights was established to protect human rights. Citizens of Ukraine can also apply to this institution. In what cases can this be done? How can you get protection in the ECHR? All of this will be discussed in detail in this article.

Embezzlement, misappropriation of property, or misappropriation through abuse of office are classified as property crimes and represent some of the most pressing issues characteristic of the legal environment in our country. This is evidenced by the excessive number of criminal cases of this category being investigated by law enforcement agencies.

During criminal proceedings, various types of preventive measures may be applied. Their purpose is to ensure that the suspect/accused fulfils the procedural obligations imposed on them and to prevent attempts to: evade investigation or court; destroy evidence critical to establishing the circumstances of the criminal offence; illegally influence the victim, witness, another suspect, accused, or expert; commit another crime or continue the one in which the person is suspected or accused.

Corruption is one of the most significant problems in Ukrainian society. However, accusations of corruption are not always objective. An innocent person who has not received improper benefits, abused their official position, or enriched themselves through illegal methods can also come under pressure from law enforcement agencies.

Drug addiction is an extremely acute problem in Ukrainian society, causing illnesses, deaths, and broken lives. Many people commit crimes for the sake of a desired "dose." Therefore, the attitude towards those accused of manufacturing or distributing drugs in society is traditionally sharply negative. The Ukrainian judiciary is also very strict: most articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine provide for actual imprisonment for crimes related to drug trafficking.

Why do we need a plea agreement with the investigation? Its purpose is to simplify and speed up the criminal proceedings. Therefore, it is clear that it cannot be concluded with an innocent person, by default. The same applies when there is every reason to release a person from criminal liability or when there are grounds to drop the charges, which is extremely rare.

Every day, many Ukrainians become victims of online scam, and the activity of criminals is constantly growing. In this article, we'll look at what types of online scam exist, how to avoid becoming a victim of such schemes, and what to do if criminals have lured your money. We will also tell you what threatens those who dare to make money from online scam.

A road traffic accident is always a huge stress for the participants and witnesses, even if no one was killed or suffered significant injuries or material damage. Therefore, it is worth remembering what witnesses, victims and participants should do in the event of an accident. With this information, you will know how to act in a critical situation.

One of the most common types of criminal offences is infliction of bodily harm. In conflict situations and self-defence attempts, there is a risk of harming other people. Almost anyone can get into such trouble, even those who never show aggression towards others. What do you need to know if you are charged with inflicting bodily harm?

The status of a suspect or accused in a criminal case is a critical situation for almost any unprepared person, as it is quite easy to lose self-control and make a lot of irreparable mistakes. Most often, this affects those who did not commit a crime, trying desperately to prove their innocence, despite the fact that the Constitution of Ukraine guarantees the presumption of innocence to everyone suspected of committing a crime.

On the one hand, a search is a fairly effective and efficient way to obtain evidence of a criminal offence. On the other hand, a search restricts the right to inviolability of the home guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine. Along with the search, there is another way to obtain evidence - inspection. It should be noted that these investigative actions are quite similar in nature, but have significant differences in the grounds and procedure for their conduct.

Anyone can be searched at any time. You do not need to be a suspect to do so. You will not even know that criminal proceedings have been opened against you or other persons or that investigative actions are planned. Unfortunately, most people do not know the main points of such a procedural action as a search, which leads to a violation of their legitimate rights and interests.

A notice of suspicion may be appealed by the suspect, his or her defence counsel or legal representative by filing a relevant motion with the investigating judge after 1 month from the date of notification of suspicion of a criminal offence or 2 months from the date of notification of suspicion of a crime, but not later than the prosecutor closes the criminal proceedings or files an indictment with the court.