Ukraine accuses Hungary of seizing cash-in-transit crew with over $75 million in cargo
Hungarian authorities concealed two Oschadbank armored cash-in-transit vehicles carrying $40 million, €35 million and 9 kg of gold at the country’s Anti-Terrorist Center after detaining them on Thursday, Ukrainian media outlets, including European Pravda and RBC-Ukraine, reported, citing sources.
The shipment was carried out under an international agreement with Raiffeisen Bank, and the cargo was documented in accordance with international rules, according to the Ukrainian state-owned bank.
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 parked in central Budapest near one of Hungary’s security agencies. Ukrainian diplomats in Hungary also confirmed this.
The whereabouts of the crew members remain unknown.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Hungary has effectively “taken hostages and stolen money.”
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.