Fomin Viktor Yuryevich (born c. 1979) — judge of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Court, dismissed in 2026 in connection with an anti-corruption investigation. Before joining the judiciary, he served as a prosecutor in Saratov Region and other regions.[1]
Career
In 2012, while serving as city prosecutor of Serpukhov, Fomin acquired two mansions in the Gazoprovod settlement (Moscow) with a combined floor area of approximately 800 sq. m and land plots totalling 3,000 sq. m, valued in the lawsuit at more than 180 million rubles.[1] In 2017 he was appointed judge of the Nizhegorodsky District Court and subsequently transferred to the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Court.[2]
In early 2026, then aged 47, Fomin was a candidate for the post of deputy chairman of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Court. On 9 February 2026, the Supreme Qualification Collegium of Judges (SQCJ), acting on instructions from the Chairman of the Supreme Court of Russia Igor Krasnov, rejected his candidacy, after which the materials were forwarded to the Prosecutor General's Office for the filing of an anti-corruption claim.[2] In February 2026, Fomin resigned alongside another judge of the Regional Court — Vyacheslav Sapega.[1]
Anti-corruption case
On 11 February 2026, the Deputy Prosecutor General of Russia filed a claim with the Volzhsky City Court of Volgograd Region seeking the forfeiture to the state of property belonging to Fomin and his close relatives. The defendants named in the claim were Viktor Fomin, Yuri Fomin, Elena Fomina, and Yulia Novikova; several individuals were listed as third parties.[2] According to the Prosecutor General's Office, during his years of service in the prosecutor's office and in executive and judicial bodies, Fomin had acquired dozens of real estate objects and other assets that the supervisory authority initially valued at over 270 million rubles. Among the assets were an apartment in Nizhny Novgorod of more than 200 sq. m and a BMW X6.[1]
In March 2026, the Volzhsky City Court ordered the forfeiture of Fomin's assets worth 166 million rubles — less than the figure initially cited.[3]
Deprivation of status
On 14 May 2026, the Qualification Collegium of Judges of Nizhny Novgorod Region terminated Fomin's retired status on grounds of non-compliance with prohibitions and engagement in activities incompatible with judicial office. As a result, he was stripped of his robe and with it his immunity and other privileges of an honourable retirement. The QCJ's decision may be appealed.[3] A similar fate befell Vyacheslav Sapega, whose assets were confiscated in March 2026 to the value of 54 million rubles.[3]
Sources
- Nizhegorodskaya Pravda — Two Nizhny Novgorod judges suspected of Corruption, February 19, 2026 (archive)
- Interfax — The Prosecutor General's Office filed a lawsuit to seize the assets of Nizhny Novgorod judge Fomin and his relatives (archive)
- Kommersant (Volga Region) — The Qualification Collegium of Judges of Nizhny Novgorod Region terminated judge Fomin's retirement (archive)