Hungary detains Oschadbank cash convoy, claims money laundering probe
Hungary’s Tax and Customs Administration detained seven Ukrainians, including a retired general of a Ukrainian special service, and two Oschadbank cash-in-transit vehicles carrying $40 million, €35 million and 9 kg of gold, citing money laundering charges, the Hungarian news site hvg.hu reported.
This is the first comment from the Hungarian side regarding the detention of employees and vehicles of the Ukrainian Oschadbank cash-in-transit service.
As Oschadbank noted, the cash-in-transit vehicles were carrying $40 million, €35 million and 9 kilograms of gold.
Hungary confirmed that the detained vehicles were part of a planned transport of valuables from Austria to Ukraine. However, it did not explain in what context the money laundering suspicion arose in connection with this operation.
The Hungarian investigation is being conducted under criminal law, with the support of Hungary’s Counter-Terrorism Center.
Hungary claims that the Ukrainian consulate was immediately notified of the start of the investigation, but no response had been received by the time of publication.
Background
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.