Viktor Orbán's brother asked about intercepting Ukrainian cash shipment in Austria - media

Telex, citing an investigation by 444, reported that the exchange took place in late March, shortly after Hungarian authorities detained two armored vehicles belonging to Ukraine's state-owned Oschadbank.

The vehicles were carrying $40 million, €35 million and 9 kilograms of gold. Hungarian authorities detained seven Ukrainian employees on suspicion of money laundering in an operation they dubbed the “Ukrainian gold convoy.”

Oschadbank maintained that the shipment had been properly declared and complied with European customs procedures. The employees were later released, while the vehicles and eventually the seized money and valuables were returned.

According to the newly reported messages, Áron Orbán told the businessman that he had information about when another alleged Ukrainian shipment would arrive and asked whether Austrian authorities could intercept it.

Sources cited by 444 said it was unlikely that Orbán had genuine information about Ukrainian cash shipments. The businessman rejected the proposal and later reported the exchange to Austrian intelligence services and the Austrian People's Party.

He described Áron Orbán as “quite naive” and said he was being used by certain interest groups as a “walking business card.”

Telex noted that there was no indication Áron Orbán had been involved in the original Hungarian “gold convoy” case.