A Ukrainian court has ordered the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) to investigate potential blockages of bail payments in the case of Iryna Mudra. The court, VAKS, mandated the NBU to confirm whether banks are unfairly refusing to process these payments, which are tied to a court-sanctioned bail of 20 million UAH.
Defense representatives for Mudra indicated that people are ready to make the payment, yet banks and payment services are allegedly refusing to process it due to the inclusion of the term “bail” linked to VAKS accounts. This refusal has been labeled as a violation of the human rights of individuals held in detention.
In response, VAKS instructed the NBU to verify these payment blockages within 24 hours. If the bank denials are found to be unjustified, the NBU is required to take necessary actions to ensure the bail is processed. Furthermore, the NBU must submit all correspondence and recommendations regarding bail payments to the court and the defense.
The NBU acknowledged receipt of VAKS’s decision, stating it would respond appropriately within its legal authority. The Central Bank emphasized its commitment to allowing banks to handle bail payments without providing directives that would lead to automatic refusals.
It was stressed by the NBU that the mere fact of funds being deposited as bail in a criminal proceeding does not automatically classify the transaction as suspicious. They clarified that each banking operation should be carefully analyzed based on the specifics of the transaction and participants involved, including the source of the funds and connections between the bail provider and the individual for whom the bail is being made.
The NBU reassured that they are reviewing how banks conduct these transactions and will soon issue further clarifications on the appropriate risk-based approach required during bail operations.
On September 1, reports emerged that only 666 UAH was deposited as bail for Mudra, though the defense could not confirm who made this payment. Ukrainian actor and producer Hryhoriy Hryshkan disclosed he contributed the same amount for the former head of the President’s Office, Andriy Yermak.
Context
- On August 19, the NABU announced a joint special operation with SAP to uncover a scheme involving current and former members of the Ukrainian parliament and officials from the President’s Office, dubbed “Forest Gump.” The suspects are believed to have laundered 150 million UAH in bail payments related to the case of former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.
- Among the suspects is Iryna Mudra, recently removed from her position as Deputy Head of the President’s Office, and former MP Maksym Mykytas, already implicated in NABU and SAP investigations. Raids were also conducted at the home of current MP Vadym Stolar, associated with the “Restoration of Ukraine” group.
- The scheme reportedly involved the state-owned Sense Bank and related companies. The authority of Sense Bank’s supervisory board chairman Mykola Hladyshev was suspended, and plans are underway to sell the bank.
