Court rejects MP Skorokhod's excuse for absence from hearing in bribery case

Court ruling on the deputy's absence

The court considered the issue of People's Deputy Anna Skorokhod's failure to appear at a hearing in a criminal case where she is accused of inciting an entrepreneur to offer a bribe of $250,000. The deputy did not show up in the courtroom, citing the performance of family duties and participation in parliamentary work as her reasons.

However, the judge deemed the stated reasons unjustified. In particular, it was emphasised that holding a parliamentary mandate does not exempt an individual from the obligation to appear in court when summoned.

Defence arguments and the court's position

During the proceedings, Skorokhod explained her absence by stating that she had to take her child to school and participate in a plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada. After a break, she added that she had been occupied with work in a parliamentary committee.

Nevertheless, these arguments did not convince the court. On this occasion, the court did not impose a financial penalty on the deputy, but officially recorded that her non-appearance was unjustified.

Context: bill on the status of deputies

As journalists note, the validity of reasons for absence from court should be determined in each specific case. Parliamentary status should not become a ground for evading participation in court proceedings.

It is worth recalling that Anna Skorokhod, together with People's Deputy Mykola Tyshchenko, registered bill No. 15249. This document proposes to recognise the participation of parliamentarians in sessions of the Verkhovna Rada, local councils, and their bodies as a valid reason for non-appearance in court.