MP Odarchenko flees abroad amid corruption charges -reports

Source: Anti-Corruption Action Center

Ukrainian MP Andriy Odarchenko of the “Servant of the People” party may have fled Ukraine, according to Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s (SAP) Office.

The news came from one of  SAP prosecutors during a court hearing on Wednesday. “There is operational information indicating he is abroad. We had scheduled his questioning today. He had known it and, likely anticipating the upcoming debates, final statements, and verdict, decided not to wait,” added the SAP prosecutor

She alleged that Odarchenko may have left the country through the Zakarpattia region as he has good relations with former regional governor Viktor Mykyta,

The prosecutor filed a motion to seize Odarchenko’s bail and place him on an international wanted list.

Odarchenko’s defense called the motion premature, arguing that his no-show could be for legitimate reasons, though they admitted they didn’t know anything about the lawmaker’s whereabouts. The judge of the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) said that the court will review the motion for seizing bail and putting the MP on the wanted list on September 19.

Odarchenko had reportedly skipped the parliamentary sessions for the previous two days prior to the court hearing.

Earlier released on bail of 15 million hryvnias, the lammaker was facing trial after he attempted to bribe officials with $50,000 to secure a state contract for the renovation of one of the univesities.