Iryna Mudra released after banks blocked bail payments in high-profile corruption case

Iryna Mudra, a former head of the President’s Office, was released from pre-trial detention on Oct. 8 after the High Anti-Corruption Court set bail at Hr 20 million. Banks initially refused to process the payment, worried about potential money-laundering violations, leading the court to ask the National Bank of Ukraine to investigate the refusals. The bail was ultimately covered by Mudra herself, her common-law husband, a singer, a wholesale meat-trading company, a cleaning woman with a prior theft conviction, and two other individuals with unclear financial backgrounds.

Mudra faces multiple charges, including laundering Hr 150 million and illegal real-estate seizures. The case also raises questions about possible involvement of Kyrylo Budanov, the President’s Office chief of staff, who is alleged in leaked transcripts to have overseen the scheme. Authorities continue to examine the extent of Budanov’s role and the broader implications for Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts.