The Kyiv District Administrative Court has ruled on Lidiya Mykhalchenko’s claim regarding her unlawful dismissal. The court declared the decision of the suspended Mayor of Irpin, Oleksandr Markushyn, illegal and ordered the reinstatement of Lidiya Mykhalchenko as Deputy Mayor.
It should be recalled that on December 18 last year, it became known that Mayor Oleksandr Markushyn had dismissed his deputy, Lidiya Mykhalchenko, allegedly for “unjustified absenteeism.” However, under current legislation, the appointment and dismissal of deputy mayors can only be decided by a session of the city council. No such decision was made by the Irpin City Council.
In response, Lidiya Mykhalchenko turned to law enforcement authorities, stating that the mayor’s actions against her were direct pressure on her as a witness in criminal proceedings against Oleksandr Markushyn. At the beginning of the case, the court suspended Markushyn’s order, allowing Mykhalchenko to continue performing her duties.
Notably, Lidiya Mykhalchenko publicly claimed that she was forced to give part of her salary in cash to Oleksandr Markushyn.
It is also worth mentioning that on July 11, 2024, the Kyiv District Administrative Court declared unlawful and annulled Markushyn’s order removing his First Deputy, Andriy Kravchuk, from his official duties.