Ukraine accuses Hungarian authorities of 'taking hostage' 7 employees of its state-owned Oschadbank

ISTANBUL

Ukraine on Friday accused Hungarian authorities of "taking hostage" seven employees of its state-owned Oschadbank in the capital of Budapest since Thursday, as well as seizing more than $80 million in cash and 9 kilograms of gold.

However, Budapest authorities confirmed the arrest, claiming that seven Ukrainians, including one general from the security forces, have been apprehended and that an investigation into their involvement in money laundering has been launched.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in a statement that Kyiv has sent an official note to Budapest demanding the immediate release of its citizens who were operating two bank vehicles transporting cash between Austria and Ukraine as part of regular services between state banks.

The reason is unknown, he wrote on the US social media company X, adding that the employees' current well-being and the possibility of contacting them are also unknown.

“In fact, we are talking about Hungary taking hostages and stealing money. If this is the ‘force’ announced earlier today by Mr Orban, then this is a force of a criminal gang. This is state terrorism and racketeering.

“We will also address the European Union with the request to provide a clear qualification of Hungary’s unlawful actions, hostage-taking, and robbery,” he added.

In a statement, Oschadbank said two vehicles accompanied by employees were found in the center of Budapest, near one of Hungary's law enforcement agencies, using GPS signal data.

Oschadbank transported funds and valuables under the terms of an international agreement with Raiffeisen Bank Austria, the statement said, adding that the cargo was registered in accordance with international transportation rules and current European customs procedures.

“The amount of valuables in the seized vehicles was $40 million, €35 million, and 9 kg of gold,” the statement added.

In Budapest, however, Hungary's National Tax and Customs Administration announced that seven Ukrainian citizens have been detained on suspicion of money laundering, and criminal proceedings have begun, according to local outlet Telex.

According to authorities, the Counter-Terrorism Center arrested employees, including a Ukrainian security service general, and seized two armored cash transport vehicles carrying a total of $40 million, €35 million (about $40.5 million), and 9 kilograms of gold from Austria to Ukraine at a gas station in Budapest on Thursday.

More than $900 million, €420 million ($486 million), and 146 kilograms of gold bars have been transported to Ukraine through Hungarian territory so far this year, the statement said.

Officials said the investigation is ongoing and that the Ukrainian consular service was immediately notified when the procedure was initiated, but no response has been received so far.

Hungary's government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs demanded immediate answers from Kyiv regarding “large cash shipments” passing through Hungary "that raise serious questions about a possible link to the Ukrainian war mafia."

He wrote on the US social media company X that all seven Ukrainians will be expelled from Hungary, alleging that the "operation" was supervised by a former general of the Ukrainian Security Service, with a former major of the Ukrainian Air Force acting as deputy and assisted by individuals with military experience.