Arrested or in prison in Ukraine
This guide provides information about being arrested in Ukraine and what conditions are like in prison there.
Contacting the British embassy
The British embassy in Ukraine can offer help but will not be able to get you out of prison or get you special treatment because you’re British. Find out what help the embassy or consulate can offer.
Family and friends can contact:
- the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London on +44 (0)20 7008 5000
- the British embassy in Ukraine
British Embassy Kyiv
Consular Section
9 Desyatynna Street
Kyiv 01601
Ukraine
Telephone: +38 (044) 490 36 60
Web Contact Form
British Embassy Kyiv
Finding a lawyer and translator
Find a lawyer in Ukraine
You should carefully consider getting a local Ukrainian lawyer. Discuss all costs with them in advance.
Prisoners Abroad has information on appointing a lawyer and legal aid, although this information is not specific to Ukraine.
Private lawyers
Check the list of local English-speaking lawyers if you want to appoint your own private lawyer. Ask the British embassy if you need a paper copy. This list is not comprehensive, and you can consider other options.
Private lawyers might ask for fees upfront before they agree to take on your case. Discuss all costs with them in advance, including who would need to pay the court fees or translation and interpretation costs.
Court-appointed lawyers
Under the Ukrainian legal system, if you are unable to pay for legal representation, you will be given a lawyer by the state. This is known as legal aid.
If you are offered legal assistance, it’s advised that you take it. The court then appoints a lawyer to represent you.
In some cases, a person has to be represented by a lawyer, for example where:
- a person is accused of committing an especially severe crime
- a person suspected or accused of committing a crime is under the age of 18
- a person under the age of 18 is subject to compulsory educational measures
- a person is subject to compulsory psychiatric treatment and custody
- a person involved in criminal proceedings cannot fully exercise their rights due to mental or physical disability (e.g. deaf, blind or unable to speak)
- a person involved in criminal proceedings does not speak the language of the criminal proceedings
Costs of a court-appointed lawyer
If you are unable to pay for legal representation you will be provided with a lawyer free of charge.
Changing your court-appointed lawyer
If you are not satisfied with the appointed lawyer, you can request a substitution.
Find a translator or interpreter in Ukraine
You may need a translator to help you read Ukrainian-language documents about your case.
Do not sign any documents unless you understand them.
If you don’t speak Ukrainian, you might need an interpreter to help you communicate with your non-English speaking lawyer or at your trial, or at prison visits.
Tell the court immediately if you want to request an interpreter.
The court will be responsible for hiring an interpreter to assist you during the trial but only with communication during court hearings. If an interpreter is not provided, the court hearing may be postponed.
Your lawyer may also be able to translate for you.
Search for an English-speaking translator or interpreter in Ukraine.
What happens when you’re arrested in Ukraine
You can be arrested by police or other state law enforcement body (e.g. border guards, security service) and taken into custody:
- because of an existing arrest warrant
- where there are grounds for issuing an arrest warrant
- if you’re caught in the act of performing a crime
- if it’s expected you’ll leave the country to escape justice
- if your identity cannot be confirmed
The police must tell you:
- why you have been arrested
- that initial proceedings against you have started
- your rights
Do not sign any documents unless you understand them. You should be given an interpreter if you don’t understand the language spoken.
You have the right not to make any statements until your lawyer is present. The law states that any information taken without a lawyer present will be deemed illegal.
Your rights
You have the right to:
- remain silent
- refuse to cooperate in the proceedings or provide information about yourself or your family
- appoint a defence lawyer of your choice or ask for legal assistance
- ask for an interpreter
- tell your next-of-kin you have been arrested
- tell the British embassy you have been arrested
The local authorities might notify the British embassy even if you do not want anyone to know that you have been arrested.
You should be given the opportunity to meet with a lawyer before answering questions or making a statement.
You have the right to prepare a written claim against illegal actions of the state bodies to be passed to the local court.
You should be provided with drinking water and basic food. You can also request medical assistance.
An inventory of your belongings, including money and valuables, will be made and put on file. All items will be stored at the facility where you will be held in custody.
Going to court
When you are arrested, you will be taken to a local police station.
You will be presented with the circumstances of your detention, asked to sign, and the court must agree.
You should be released after a maximum of 60 hours of detention if no charges are brought (according to Article 211 of the Criminal Procedural Code).
If the prosecutor believes they have enough evidence to start criminal proceedings, you can expect to be brought before the court within 72 hours of your arrest. At court the examining judge will consider your case and decide if you will:
- be released without charge
- have to pay a fine
- be placed on remand to wait for your trial
You can appeal the court’s decision at this stage within 7 days from the date it is issued.
You can ask for a court-appointed lawyer and an interpreter or appoint your own private English-speaking legal representative.
Being put on remand
You may be put on remand if you’re strongly suspected of committing an offence. This means you’ll be transferred to a remand centre (слiдчий iзолятор - SIZO) while you wait for the criminal investigation and trial to finish.
How long you can be on remand for
Pre-trial detention should not exceed 60 days. In certain circumstances and with approval of the judge it can be prolonged to 6 or 12 months.
Bail
Being released on bail is possible in Ukraine but uncommon. Bail is granted at the discretion of the court. When bail is granted, the amount set depends on the nature and severity of the crime.
Bail funds need to be deposited into a court or investigating authority bank account. The authority then issues a formal statement confirming the receipt of funds.
The court may set out certain bail conditions, such as not driving or leaving certain areas, meeting certain people, using the internet or sending and receiving mail etc. If you fail to adhere to your bail conditions, the court may decide that the funds or assets provided as bail will be transferred as income to the state budget by a separate court decision. If the court closes the criminal case, the bail is returned to the bail-maker.
The embassy can assist you with contacting friends and family who may be willing to help with raising bail. The embassy cannot transfer bail funds for you.
Being released before your trial
Your lawyer is best placed to advise you on the possibility of earlier release (e.g. the arrest warrant is withdrawn) or conditional suspension (e.g. bail or reporting regularly to the police).
Arriving at the detention facility
The remand or prison authority will notify the embassy of your arrival at the detention facility.
Remand prisoners
Tell the remand centre staff if you have any pre-existing medical conditions so that they can arrange for you to be seen by a doctor.
You will not be allowed to make telephone calls.
You will have one hour a day for a walk in the open air. Pregnant women and women with children, people under the age of 18 and people who are ill may have this time extended to two hours a day.
While you are held on remand, the investigator is responsible for investigating your case, as well as issuing visitor permits and deciding who you can correspond with, including receiving parcels.
Family wishing to visit you in detention need to get permission either from the investigator or the court. They will need to re-apply each time they wish to visit.
Your lawyer or the embassy can provide your family with the contact details of the relevant authority. Your lawyer or the local authority can provide information on the rules for visits. Your lawyer may be able to assist your family with arranging the visit.
Sentenced prisoners
Once you have been sentenced, you will be transferred from a remand facility to a penal colony or a prison. Your personal file and belongings will be transferred with you.
Upon arrival at the prison, you will be searched. An inventory of your belongings will be made and put on file. Any forbidden items (including money and other valuables) and any belongings in excess of permitted amounts will be temporarily confiscated by the prison authorities. They will be returned when you are released.
The prison authorities will usually provide you with a uniform and basic toiletries. They will explain the prison rules and regulations, including procedures regarding visitors, making calls, and receiving letters.
Your prison cell
Typically cells have electricity, running cold water, wash basins and pit toilets. Each prisoner is given a single bed, a mattress, a pillow and a blanket. Cells are normally heated from November to March.
Many of the remand buildings are very old and not equipped with adequate sanitary facilities, ventilation or exercise yards. Local social research institutes cite a lack of light and fresh air and lacking shower facilities. Overcrowding is a problem in Ukrainian prisons so you should expect to share a cell with other inmates.
Your belongings and your cell may be searched at any point.
Contacting the British embassy
Tell the prison if you want the British embassy to know you’re in prison.
You can write to:
British Embassy Kyiv – Consular Section
9 Desyatynna Street
Kyiv 01601
Ukraine
Medical check-up
A doctor will give you a check-up within the first few days of being in a remand centre or prison. It might include x-rays and blood tests. The results will be recorded in a personal health record book.
Tell the doctor about any medical conditions you already have. The doctor will decide if you need a special diet or any other medical treatment.
Contact the embassy if you need help getting your medical notes from the UK.
Medication is usually supplied by the remand centre or prison and may be locally manufactured. You will not be allowed to bring your own medicine with you. Your family or friends may be permitted to provide you with medication, but only where the prison doctor has given prior approval.
Rights and responsibilities in detention facilities
The prison authorities will explain your rights and responsibilities, including procedures regarding visitors, making calls, and receiving letters. Ask if they have a copy of these in English.
Prisoners are expected to follow the rules of the facility. Good behaviour, showing a willingness to fit in, taking part in social activities, and practising the local language are viewed positively by the prison authorities. Most facilities also have reward systems in place. The prison authorities will take behaviour into account when they are considering applications for conditional release.
If you do not follow the rules or misbehave, for instance, abusing or insulting staff or other inmates, you may face disciplinary action.
If you are concerned about your safety or wellbeing, you have the right to raise this with the facility authorities, your lawyer and embassy consular staff. The authorities should explain how you can do this.
Let your lawyer and embassy consular staff know if the prison does not follow up on your reported concerns. With your consent, we will consider approaching the prison authorities to help resolve any issues.
Visits from family or friends
Visiting rules in Ukraine vary depending on the type and size of the facility, the number of prisoners and the resources available to supervise visits. Some prisons only allow visits on certain days of the week. There may also be rules about how many visitors are allowed or if you need to have an interpreter for the prison guards. You or your family or friends can ask your lawyer, or the prison directly, about the rules.
Arranging visits
Your family will need to obtain permission from the prison governor each time they want to visit you. In this case, your lawyer or embassy consular staff can provide the contact details of the relevant authority, and advise how to get the permit, and how long it might take.
During the visit
Visitors must identify themselves when they arrive at the prison by showing a valid passport. This is held by the prison until the end of the visit. Driving licences are not considered official identification documents.
They must also present the permission issued by the local authority.
Visits are normally supervised by facility staff.
What visitors can take with them
Visitors will be searched for security purposes. They are not allowed to bring any items with them, including documents or money.
It may be possible to hand in a package to the prison authorities, but you should check in advance how to do this. All packages will be inspected and any prohibited items will be removed and returned to the visitor at the end of the visit.
Visits from British embassy staff
Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, consular staff currently cannot guarantee they can visit you in a detention centre or prison.
You can write to us at any time about issues of concern. If it is urgent, it may be quicker to ask prison authorities to contact us on your behalf.
If we become aware of any deterioration of your health or wellbeing, or mistreatment or human rights violations, we will aim to get in touch with you, your lawyer and with the relevant authority (with your consent) to check on your welfare and clarify the situation.
You will have the opportunity to discuss any health issues, security concerns, language barriers and any other general issues that you may wish to raise. If there is any information you would prefer not to disclose to your family, please make this clear. It’s important to remember that we cannot discuss or comment on anything concerning the trial or other legal matters. We are there for your health and welfare.
Money
Money transfers from family or friends
Ask the remand centre or prison if you can open a financial account. Family and friends can then deposit private funds into this account.
If your family cannot support you financially, Prisoners Abroad may be able to send you a small grant every quarter for essentials.
The British embassy does not provide financial assistance to prisoners.
How to make a complaint about mistreatment
The British embassy can help if you have been mistreated or abused – it will take all complaints seriously. Tell the embassy first if you decide to make a complaint.
With your permission, and where appropriate, we will consider approaching the local authorities if you have not been treated in line with internationally-accepted standards. If you have been mistreated, try to see a doctor and obtain a medical report.
There are several ways to submit a complaint when you’re in detention in Ukraine:
- speak to the remand centre or prison governor, or complain to them in writing
- contact the supervisory authority (Ministry of Justice) about your complaint
- make a complaint to the Human Rights Ombudsman
Your investigation and trial in Ukraine
If you are detained in Ukraine, you can expect your case to go through these legal and judicial stages: pre-trial, indictment, trial, verdict, sentence, appeal.
Your lawyer will be able to provide more detailed information about your case and the Ukrainian judicial system.
The British embassy cannot interfere with the Ukrainian judicial system. It cannot ask for your case to be judged more quickly just because you are British, or ask the authorities to waive any penalties.
Completion of investigations
While you’re on remand before the trial, the prosecutor’s office investigates the charges against you.
This can include things like:
-
questioning you and the witnesses
-
getting expert opinions
-
getting police investigative summaries
-
examining laboratory reports
The investigation stage is finished when the prosecutor believes they have enough evidence to take you to trial or they decide to end the case and release you.
Bill of indictment
You will be given the ‘bill of indictment’ (oбвинувальний акт). It will say:
- what you are accused of
- which laws may have been broken
- what the evidence is
Start of your trial
The trial starts when the investigations are completed.
The judge is responsible for carrying out a detailed assessment of all the facts about your case. You can expect a number of court hearings during the trial phase. Hearings may be postponed and rescheduled.
Your lawyer will present your case to the court, and you may be questioned and required to give a report of the circumstances of your case. You should request a meeting with your lawyer prior to the hearing so that you can go through your case and discuss important details.
The judge’s final decision will be based on their findings.
Verdict
The judge will read the verdict out after the closing statements. They will say whether you have been found guilty or not guilty and explain exactly what parts of the law have been used to reach the verdict.
If you plead guilty or are found guilty by the court, you will be convicted, and the judge will pass sentence and decide on the type of prison in which you will serve your sentence. The judge will state your right to appeal.
Sentences
If you’re found guilty you’ll be given a sentence. Your sentence will depend on how serious the crime is. Your lawyer can tell you what or how long your sentence might be.
Sentences can include:
- fines and/or victim compensation
- a suspended sentence (a punishment outside prison during which you might need to meet certain conditions, for example do unpaid work)
- time in prison
The time spent on remand in custody will count towards the sentence.
Making an appeal
You and the prosecution have the right to appeal against the court’s decision.
You can appeal against either the:
- conviction itself
- length of sentence or fine amount
When you can appeal
You must appeal within 30 days of the verdict. If you were not at court when the verdict was announced, you have 30 days from when the written judgement is served to you.
If you have not appealed within this time, the verdict will be final and cannot be changed.
Your lawyer or public defender will be best placed to advise on appeal processes.
How to appeal
If you decide to make an appeal, you or your lawyer would need to submit it to the prison governor. They will forward your appeal to the relevant first instance court and a judge there would send it on to the appeal court for their consideration.
What happens when you appeal
Enforcement of the verdict is paused if you appeal. That means you do not need to pay your fine or serve your sentence while the appeal is being made.
This does not mean you’ll be released if you’re already on remand, though. You’ll stay on remand until you get the result of the appeal.
Prison conditions in Ukraine
The conditions and levels of security at detention facilities in Ukraine vary depending on the crime committed and the legal provisions under which you have been sentenced. Check more information on the Ukrainian Legislation.
Letters and packages
You can receive letters and parcels, but these will be strictly controlled and restrictions may apply.
Your contacts must be pre-approved by the prison. You must make a request in writing to the prison authorities for permission to send and receive letters and parcels, listing the names of family and friends you wish to keep in touch with.
Each detention facility has its own policy and procedures around letters and packages. You should ask the prison administration for information, including the mailing address and restrictions in place.
Checks on your mail
Incoming letters and packages are checked for their contents and then distributed.
Correspondence between you and the embassy, the Ukrainian authorities and international organisations of which Ukraine is a member will not be monitored.
Telephone calls
The rules on telephone calls differ depending on the prison. Calls may be monitored by the prison authority.
For every call, you will need to submit a written request to the prison authorities specifying the details of the person you want to call, their telephone number, and the language to be spoken during the call. Once the permission is granted, a call can be made.
Calls may or may not be limited to domestic numbers within Ukraine. Check with the prison authorities whether you can make international calls at your own expense using designated prison landlines or IP telephony.
You should be allowed to call the British embassy in Ukraine.
Medical and dental treatment
Your basic medical needs must be met while you’re detained in Ukraine. The prison doctor has an oversight of the health and wellbeing of all prisoners.
There is no provision under Ukrainian law for detainees to be given access to routine medical care.
Treatment for a new illness or condition
If you need medical or dental treatment, you should ask the prison authorities about making an appointment with the prison doctor or dentist. If the situation is urgent, you should alert the prison authorities. Unusual or complex conditions may be referred to a specialist outside the prison.
Existing conditions
Tell the doctor about any medical conditions you already have.
If you have a long-standing medical issue for which you have received treatment in the UK, it may be useful to have your medical records sent from the UK to the prison doctor or specialist. If you have a medical condition that cannot be adequately treated at the prison itself, you may be transferred to a hospital and be placed under police guard.
With your permission, we can try to ensure that any medical or dental issues you may have are brought to the attention of prison doctors. We can also liaise with your GP in the UK, if the prison doctor requests previous medical records and we have your consent to do so.
Consular staff cannot advise on medical issues, make arrangements for medical treatment or request specialist examinations.
Drug and alcohol addiction
Drugs are strictly forbidden in Ukrainian prisons. If drugs are found in your possession or in the possession of those visiting you, you will face disciplinary action.
Mental health care
Talk to the prison psychologist or doctor as soon as possible if you feel you need treatment for your mental health, for example, if you have depression or anxiety. The prison may be able to make recommendations about adjustments for psychological issues.
Check with the prison authorities if you can access social and psychological support in the prison. Staff may only be able to speak the local language.
Emergency trips outside of prison
You can apply for an emergency trip outside prison within Ukraine if an urgent matter comes up that cannot be postponed, like a funeral or critical illness of a relative.
Ask the prison or your lawyer how to submit an application for this exceptional leave. It may have to be approved by the court. The embassy cannot influence the final court decision.
Food and diet
Ukrainian prisons provide three hot meals a day and access to tap water.
Local social research institutes note a lack of adequate food in Ukrainian prisons. You may therefore wish to supplement your diet with items from the prison shop or brought by family and friends. Check with the prison authorities if restrictions apply.
Special diets
Should you have any special dietary requirements, for example on medical grounds (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure), notify the prison upon arrival or inform the prison doctor during your check-up.
Prison shop
Most prisons have their own shop where you can go shopping at specific times, depending on the prison rules. Items like toiletries, stationary or extra fruit and vegetables can be bought there with your own money from your prison account.
Showers and hygiene
Typically cells are equipped with running cold water and a toilet. There is usually a schedule for using the communal shower where hot water is provided. Conditions in the showers and toilets may vary from prison to prison and may be substandard.
Basic toiletries are normally provided by the prison authorities and usually include a toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, soap, shaving razors for men and hygiene products for women. Toiletries can be bought from the prison shop from your private funds.
Work and study
Prisoners may be obliged to work and to perform a job which they are physically fit for. This work is paid and lasts eight hours per day with a break for lunch. Typically men are engaged in metal or woodwork and women in sewing.
Learning and development opportunities may vary from prison to prison. You should ask the prison authorities what is on offer.
Books, languages and courses
Prisons in Ukraine have a library where books and newspapers are available in the local language. You can ask embassy consular staff if they can deliver English-language books to you.
Your family and friends or Prisoners Abroad might be able to send some reading materials, language textbooks and dictionaries.
Prisons do not offer Ukrainian language classes.
Exercise
Prisoners are permitted to go outdoors within the grounds of the detention facility and move around during the day, unaccompanied during free time. Going to and from work in a group, you would usually be accompanied by a guard. Prisoners are not allowed to leave their cells at night.
If you are subject to disciplinary action, your movement around the detention facility will be restricted. You will typically be allowed outdoors to walk around for one hour in a specially designated area.
Prisons may offer access to sporting activities and organise group exercises for inmates.
Clothing
In Ukraine, temperatures vary from 25°C to 35°C in summer to -10°C to -25°C in winter. During spring and autumn, the daytime temperatures range between 8°C and 17°C. The prison authorities should provide clothing appropriate for the weather.
Religion
You are allowed to take part in religious services of your choice or refrain from any religious activities. Ask the prison authorities about your rights to receive visits from a priest, rabbi or minister of your faith.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones are strictly forbidden in Ukrainian detention facilities. If a mobile phone is found in your possession or those visiting you, you will face disciplinary action.
Your behaviour whilst in detention is taken into account when considering your application for conditional release.
Transferring to another prison
Transferring to a prison in the UK
You may be able to apply to transfer to a prison in the UK under the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons (CECTSP). The Ukrainian Ministry of Justice is responsible for the execution of the provisions of the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.
You may be able to apply to transfer to a prison in the UK if you:
-
are a British citizen or have close family ties with the UK (normally through permanent residence in the UK)
-
are not awaiting trial – criminal proceedings in the foreign country must be complete
-
have exhausted all appeals against your conviction and/or the length of your sentence or have waived your right to an appeal
-
have at least 6 months of your sentence left to serve when you apply for transfer
-
have no outstanding fines or other non-custodial penalties
The offence you were convicted for must also be a criminal offence in the part of the UK you wish to be transferred to: England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Applications for transfer should be made to the prison authorities.
A prisoner does not have an automatic right to transfer. The authorities in the sentencing country may refuse your request. Even if the sentencing country agrees to your transfer, the UK authorities may also refuse your request. Reasons for this might include if you have not lived in the UK for a number of years and you have no close family living there.
Once your application for transfer is agreed by the Ukrainian and UK authorities, information will be sent to you, including paperwork requesting your written consent to be transferred. If you agree, the relevant travel and transfer arrangements will be made.
The Additional Protocol to the CECTSP (came into force in the UK in November 2009) provides for the transfer of a sentenced person without their consent only when:
- the sentenced person would be subject to deportation at the end of their sentence
- the sentenced person has fled to another signatory state of which they are a national (this means that the sentencing state can request the enforcement of the sentence to be transferred)
It can take a long time for a prison transfer application to be processed.
Transfer to another prison within Ukraine
Transfers are only permitted when there are exceptional and compassionate reasons for doing so, for example if you have family living close by. You’ll have to make a request with the prison and the court.
Early release
Reduction of sentence (remission)
Sentenced prisoners may be granted early release as a reward for good behaviour and positive attitude towards work. The court is responsible for deciding whether early release is granted on the basis of records provided by you or your lawyer and the prison authorities.
Article 81 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code specifies that remission may be granted if you’ve served no less than:
- half of the sentence established by a court for a crime of petty or average gravity and for a severe crime caused by negligence
- two-thirds of the sentence for an intentional severe crime or especially severe crime caused by negligence, as well as if an individual previously served a sentence in the form of imprisonment for an intentional crime and, prior to the end of the sentence or cancellation of the conviction, once more committed an intentional crime for which such individual was imprisoned
- three-quarters of the sentence for an intentional especially severe crime as well as the sentence established for an individual who had previously received a conditional release and once again committed an intentional crime during the term of their sentence that was not served
Clemency or pardon
Clemency involves a reduction in the penalty given for a particular criminal offence without clearing the person’s criminal history.
Pardon means that someone is cleared of some or all of the legal consequences resulting from a criminal conviction in cases provided by the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Clemency and pardon are a rare occurrence. Ask your lawyer for more information.
Release and deportation
Deportation
Prisoners who have served their sentence are not subject to compulsory deportation.
You may wish to stay in Ukraine or return to the UK or the country of your habitual residence. Once released, you will need to arrange your travel home at your own expense. You may ask family or friends to help you.
Getting a passport
Make sure your British passport is still in date. Contact the British embassy before you’re released if you need an emergency passport for your journey home.
Useful Ukrainian words and phrases
| Key words and phrases | Ukrainian | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| accusation statement / charges / indictment | обвинувачення | obvynuvachennya |
| accused person | обвинувачений | obvynuvachenyi |
| appeal | апеляція | apelyatsiya |
| arrest | арешт | aresht |
| arrestee | арештований | areshtovanyi |
| attorney / advocate | захисник | zakhysnyk |
| bail | застава | zastava |
| case | справа | sprava |
| charged | підсудний | pidsudnyi |
| Code of Criminal Procedure | Кримінальний процесуальний кодекс | Kryminalnyi protsessualnyi kodeks |
| complaint | скарга | skarga |
| convict | засуджений | zasudzhenyi |
| conviction | засудження | zasudzhennya |
| court | суд | sud |
| Criminal Code | Кримінальний кодекс | Kryminalnyi kodeks |
| defendant | відповідач, обвинувачений | vidpovidach / obvynuvachenyi |
| detainee / detained | затриманий | zatrymanyi |
| detention | затримання | zatrymannya |
| evidence | докази | dokazy |
| guilty | винний | vynnyi |
| imprisonment | ув’язнення | uv’yaznennya |
| interpreter | усний перекладач | usnyi perekladach |
| investigation | слідство / розслідування | slidstvo / rozsliduvannya |
| judge | суддя | suddya |
| judgement | судове рішення / вирок | sudove rishennya / vyrok |
| law | закон | zakon |
| lawyer | юрист | yuryst |
| Legal Aid lawyer | юрист з питань правової допомоги | yuryst z pytan’ pravovoyi dopomohy |
| Minister of Justice | Міністерство юстиції | Ministerstvo yustytsii |
| offender | правопорушник | pravoporushnyk |
| offence | правопорушення | pravoporushennya |
| parole | умовний договір | umovnyi dohovir |
| plaintiff | позивач | pozyvach |
| prison | в’язниця | v’yaznytsya |
| prison regulations | правила ув’язнення | pravyla uv’yaznennya |
| prisoner | в’язень | v’yazen’ |
| probation | випробувальний термін | vyprobuvalnyi termin |
| prosecutor | прокурор, обвинувач | prokuror, obvynuvach |
| Prosecutor’s office | прокуратура | prokuratura |
| release | звільнити | zvil’nyty |
| search | обшук | obshuk |
| security | безпека | bezpeka |
| sentence | вирок / покарання | vyrok / pokarannya |
| solitary confinement | одиночне ув’язнення | odynochne uv’yaznennya |
| suspect | підозрюваний | pidozryuvanyi |
| suspicion | підозра | pidozra |
| transfer to another prison | переведення до іншої в’язниці | perevedennya do inshoyi v’yaznytsi |
| translator, interpreter | письмовий перекладач | pys’movyi perekladach |
| trial | судовий процес | sudovyi protses |
| victim | потерпілий | poterpilyi |
| witness | свідок | svidok |
Important phrases
- I need to see a doctor / Мені потрібно звернутися до лікаря / Meni potribno zvernutysya do likarya.
- I would like to contact the embassy / Я хотів би зв’язатися з посольством / Ya hotiv by zv’yazatysya z posolstvom.
- I want to contact an advocate / Я хочу зв’язатися з адвокатом / Ya hochu zv’yazatysya z advokatom.
Annex
FCDO guidance: Support for British nationals abroad
FCDO guidance: Arrested abroad: advice for British nationals
List of English-speaking lawyers in Ukraine
List of translators/interpreters in Ukraine