Budanov responds for first time to NABU’s ‘Forrest Gump’ investigation
Budanov responds for first time to 'Forrest Gump' investigation (Photo: Kyrylo Budanov / Telegram)
Ukraine’s presidential chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov has
commented for the first time on NABU’s “Forrest Gump” investigation, which involves officials from the Office of the President,
including his former deputy Iryna Mudra.
Budanov urged the public to await a ruling from the High
Anti-Corruption Court.
“The reaction is absolutely direct and simple. Everything,
as they say, is in the hands of the court. The person who is now with the
Office of the President, my former deputy, has appeared before the court, and
the presiding judge is now the head of the High Anti-Corruption Court. That is,
there are no judges above him in this hierarchy. Let’s wait and see what he
says,” Budanov told Channel 24.
Budanov stressed that the situation should be dealt with
“primarily through judicial proceedings.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously said he had no additional information about Iryna Mudra, who is
suspected of involvement in corruption schemes involving money laundering and
corporate raiding.
“As for Iryna Mudra — I have no more details than you do.
What I know was enough to respond on the very first day of this case —
immediately after the searches. There were enough details to dismiss her. I
heard, essentially at the same time as you, certain conversations about some
actions — real or potential. It would be inappropriate to discuss this now,”
Zelenskyy said.
Allegations against Iryna Mudra and her dismissal from the Presidential Office
On Aug. 19, Zelenskyy dismissed Iryna Mudra as deputy head
of the Presidential Office. She is believed to be implicated in the National
Anti-Corruption Bureau’s Forrest Gump operation, which uncovered a criminal group
involving Presidential Office officials as well as current and former
lawmakers.
NABU earlier released excerpts from audio recordings of
people involved in the case discussing, among other things, transfers of money.
A voice that may belong to Mudra can also be heard on the recordings. A female
voice labeled in the NABU video as the “deputy head of the Presidential Office”
mentions “our Israeli refugee Tymur.” The speaker is believed to be referring
to Tymur Mindich.
In addition to Mudra, people implicated in the NABU and SAPO operation include:
- Vadym Stolar, a lawmaker from the former Opposition Platform
- For Life party who has been the subject of investigative reporting and
coverage of Kyiv development projects. He has confirmed that investigators
searched his premises and said he is cooperating with law enforcement.
- Former lawmaker Maksym Mykytas, the former head of the
Ukrbud corporation.
- Justice Ministry officials.
- Sense Bank representatives.
On Aug. 21, the High Anti-Corruption Court scheduled a
hearing on a motion to impose pretrial restrictions on the former deputy head
of the Presidential Office.
It later emerged that Mudra’s defense attorneys had
requested a closed hearing, citing disclosure of private information about her
family life.
Mudra also asked the High Anti-Corruption Court to postpone
consideration of the motion for pretrial restrictions. The court partially
granted the request: After the prosecutor’s presentation, the hearing will resume
at 3 p.m. on Aug. 24.
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