Pankratova: All of Portnov's lawsuits against journalists and media may be closed

Lyudmyla Pankratova, photo by Ukrinform

All lawsuits filed by Andriy Portnov, the former deputy head of Viktor Yanukovych's administration, in particular those targeting journalists and the media, may be closed following his murder, as Lyudmyla Pankratova, media lawyer and executive director of the Institute for Regional Press Development tells ZMINA.

Pankratova says that protecting one's honor, dignity, and business reputation is a personal non-property right. When a person dies, their personal non-property rights are not inherited. According to Article 1219 of the Civil Code of Ukraine, succession does ont apply to personal non-property rights.

The media lawyer added that Portnov's attorneys cannot represent his interests anywhere at the moment, because their mandates ceased with his death.

“If a lawsuit is pending in a first instance court or the court of appeal, it is suspended. If the case concerns property rights, then the heirs must first enter into the inheritance, and then the court must replace the plaintiff in the case in a judicial procedure,” noted Lyudmila Pankratova.

When it comes to personal non-property rights, this does not happen, she explains.

As for cases that are in the execution stage, Ukraine's legislation says that rulings come into effect after the court of appeal pronounces it.

“Now, for example, there are cases where the appelate court upheld the first instance ruling, finding information to be unreliable, ordering a retraction and recovering money in Portnov's favor. These funds were recovered as litigation expenses: that is, for lawyers and court fees. For instance, in the case against the think tank StateWatch and The Kyiv Independent, funds were blocked,” she explained.

Lyudmyla Pankratova added that today the legally significant fact for stopping a proceedings or closing a case is the registration of death by the state.

“Accordingly, the executor must postpone the enforcement until the details of the death are clarified. When the executor has legal grounds to believe that the person has died, they stop enforcement proceedings. If the money has already been paid, it will remain so for the time being,” she said.

However, there are rulings that journalists are contesting in courts of appeal and then the cassation instance – the Supreme Court. Then everything hinges on the Supreme Court ruling. For example, if the phrase “pro-Russian politician” is recognized as a value judgment, the court ruling will be canceled and a new one will be issued. In this case, the execution of the ruling may be reversed and the money will be collected from Portnov’s heirs, says Pankratova.

“If the Supreme Court disagrees with the journalists’ arguments, then we have the right to appeal this ruling to the European Court of Human Rights, because in this case the appeal is against the state, not Portnov.”

As the IMI reported, Andriy Portnov, the former deputy head of the Viktor Yanukovych administration, was shot dead near the elite American School of Madrid in Pozuelo de Alarcon (Spain) on the morning of May 21, 2025.

Andriy Portnov and his lawsuits against Ukrainian media outlets

Andriy Portnov was infamous for his lawsuits against Ukrainian media outlets, which he usually won.

On December 26, 2024, the Media Movement expressed concern with Ukrainian courts repeatedly granting Portnov’s claims against the media and civil society organizations. This is happening despite the considerable reasons to view his activities critically. In view of this.

The Media Movement supported Yaroslava Volvach and called on the President of Ukraine to submit proposals for the National Security and Defense Council to consider introducing sanctions against Andriy Portnov in compliance with the Law of Ukraine "On Sanctions".

The Media Movement also addressed the Chairman of the Supreme Court of Ukraine and the High Council of Justice with an appeal to ensure transparency and objectivity in considering cases related to public figures such as Andriy Portnov. They asked that judicial decisions in these cases be reviewed for their compliance with the standards of justice and judicial ethics.

On December 28, 2024, Andriy Portnov, through his representative Karina Mikityan, appealed to the government with a demand to take the petition down. As Portnov's representative explained, posting the petition about him violated Portnov's rights and freedoms, and therefore was in violation of the law.

On January 8, Andriy Portnov sent an address to multiple media outlets and civil society organizations saying that he considered the Media Movement’s call to introduce sanctions against him "ratting" motivated by vengefulness and hostility.

It was reported in January 2025 that the Cabinet of Ministers had found no grounds to introduce sanctions against the former Presidential Administration head Andriy Portnov.