Budanov commented for the first time on Operation Forrest Gump, which involves OP officials

Head of the President’s Office Kyrylo Budanov spoke for the first time about the NABU investigation “Forrest Gump”, which involves representatives of the OP, in particular his former deputy Iryna Mudra. He stated that the situation should be assessed primarily within the framework of the judicial proceedings.

Budanov said this in a comment to Channel 24.

According to him, Mudra, who previously worked as his deputy in the President’s Office, is now standing trial. The presiding judge is the head of the High Anti-Corruption Court.

“The reaction is absolutely direct and simple. Everything, as they say, is in the hands of the court. Let’s wait and see what it says,” Budanov said.

He added that the situation should remain “primarily within the realm of judicial review.”

Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he had no additional information about Iryna Mudra, who is suspected of involvement in corruption schemes involving money laundering and raiding.

According to Zelensky, the information he received after the searches was enough to release Mudra. The president noted that he heard about the possible or real violations practically at the same time as the public, so he considers it inappropriate to discuss them now.

On August 19, Zelenskyy dismissed Mudra from the position of Deputy Head of the Presidential Office.

Mudra is a figure in the NABU’s anti-corruption operation “Forrest Gump.” Within its framework, law enforcement officials announced the exposure of a criminal group that may have included high-ranking officials of the President’s Office, as well as current and former MPs.

NABU previously released fragments of audio recordings in which the suspects, in particular, discuss the transfer of money. One of the recordings features a female voice, identified in the NABU video as “the deputy head of the OPU.” The recording mentions “our Israeli refugee” Timur, presumably referring to Timur Mindich.

Other persons involved in the case include Vadym Stolar, a member of the People’s Deputy from the former OPZH, Maksym Mykytas, a former member of the People’s Deputy and former head of Ukrbud, officials of the Ministry of Justice, and representatives of Sense Bank.

Stolar has already confirmed that his home has been searched and stated that he is cooperating with law enforcement.

It was previously reported that on August 21, the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court imposed preventive measures on former MP Maksym Mykytas and head of PrJSC “Metrobud” Valentyn Yelizarov in the “Forrest Gump” case. They were taken into custody with the possibility of posting bail: for Mykytas – 30 million hryvnias, for Yelizarov – 20 million hryvnias.

In addition, former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov called on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to answer whether he knew about possible corruption among representatives of his inner circle.

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