Ukraine opens criminal case over Oschadbank crew abduction in Hungary
Ukraine’s National Police opened criminal proceedings for abduction and hostage-taking after seven Oschadbank cash-in-transit employees were detained in Hungary, while Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha warned of sanctions against those responsible.
The cases were entered into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations under:
- Article 146 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — unlawful deprivation of liberty or abduction of a person;
- Article 147 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — hostage-taking.
Officers of the Department of International Police Cooperation of the National Police officially contacted Europol staff, Hungary’s tax and customs service and police through official channels. Investigative actions are ongoing.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine reserves the right to initiate sanctions against those involved in the seizure of Ukrainians. Kyiv is convening the foreign diplomatic corps.
“We will not tolerate this state banditism. Everyone who is responsible for taking and holding our citizens hostage will be held accountable. We reserve the right to take appropriate action, including initiating sanctions and other restrictive measures. We once again demand Hungary stop dragging Ukraine into its domestic politics and electoral campaign,” he wrote on X.
What is it about?
Late on Thursday, Oschadbank reported that two of its cash-in-transit vehicles with seven crew members were “unreasonably detained” in Hungary.
GPS signals showed the vehicles’ location: they are now in central Budapest near one of Hungary’s security agencies. According to media reports, this refers to the closed territory of Hungary’s Counter-Terrorism Center.
The whereabouts of the crew members remain unknown.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Hungary has effectively “taken hostages and stolen money.”
The transport of funds and valuables was carried out under an agreement with Austria’s Raiffeisen Bank. Oschadbank declared that the cargo was documented in accordance with international transport rules and current European customs procedures.
Hungary’s Tax and Customs Administration stated that the basis for detaining the seven Ukrainians was suspicion of money laundering. Among the detained, is allegedly a retired general of a Ukrainian special service.
Sybiha said that as of Friday morning Ukrainian consuls have still not been allowed to see the seven Ukrainian citizens detained in Budapest. Meanwhile Hungarian media report that all seven have already been expelled from Hungary.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó claimed the involvement of the "Ukrainian military mafia", in whose interests large sums of cash could allegedly be transported through Hungary.
Ukraine sent an official note demanding the immediate release of Oschadbank employees. The country also plans to appeal to the European Union with a request for a “clear qualification of Hungary’s illegal actions, hostage-taking and robbery.”