Kyiv chief rabbi offers to stand surety for PO deputy head

Yonatan Markovich (right) during a visit to the Presidential Office. Photo: Markovich’s Facebook page

On August 24, 2026, Kyiv Chief Rabbi Yonatan Markovich spoke at a hearing of Ukraine’s High Anti-Corruption Court, where a preventive measure was being considered for former Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Iryna Mudra.

He expressed his willingness to stand surety for Mudra. When asked by her lawyer whether he understood the full responsibility involved, the rabbi said that he did.

According to Markovich, he has known Mudra for several years, as she had visited both his home and the JCC BEIT Menachem KYIV community “to stay connected with the Almighty.”

When the judge asked why Markovich was so confident that, as a guarantor, he would be able to influence Mudra and ensure her appearance in court, he replied that “when it was necessary to pray, when it was necessary to do various religious things, she came and did them.”

“I am sure it will be the same here. She will not let down the community, me, the state, or any of the authorities,” Markovich said. According to him, he had remained in constant contact with Mudra and the two know each other very well. He spoke Russian in court, and some questions had to be translated for him from Ukrainian.

Iryna Mudra is accused of large-scale corruption. In recordings made by NABU, Mudra is heard saying that “corruption needs to be systematized, controlled, and led.”

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Phanar Exarch Bishop Michael of Comana appeared in court as a guarantor for former Deputy Prime Minister Chernyshov, who is facing corruption charges.

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