Irina Mudra, a close advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, has been placed under preventive detention for 60 days as part of a money laundering investigation, Ukrainian prosecutors announced on Tuesday.
Previously the deputy head of Zelensky’s office, Mudra was dismissed last week following allegations against her and a former Ukrainian parliament member, according to reports from DPA and Agerpres.
The case, involving multiple suspects, focuses on an alleged scheme that laundered millions of dollars.
Investigators claim the group laundered approximately $3.3 million to finance the bail of former energy minister Herman Galushchenko, who faces separate corruption charges.
Video footage showed Mudra being escorted in handcuffs from the courtroom on Tuesday.
Bail Set at Nearly Half a Million Dollars
The Ukrainian anti-corruption prosecutor’s office has set her bail at around $455,000, according to prosecutors.
Local media reported Mudra stating that she does not have the funds and will ask her friends to help gather the amount.
If she manages to pay the bail, she will be prohibited from leaving the Kyiv region and will be barred from communicating with witnesses or victims involved in the case.
President Zelensky’s administration has already been under scrutiny from anti-corruption authorities, which led to the dismissal of former presidential office chief Andrii Yermak.
Zelensky has reassured the European Union, in particular, of his commitment to a rigorous fight against corruption in Ukraine.
Despite ongoing reforms, Ukraine, which is seeking EU membership, is viewed as one of the most corrupt countries in Europe.
