Oschadbank employee detained in Hungary hospitalized in critical condition. Bank vehicles to be returned, but without assets
One of the seven Oschadbank employees detained by Hungarian authorities was hospitalized in critical condition after interrogation, National Bank of Ukraine Governor Andriy Pyshnyy told Bloomberg in an interview.
Pyshnyy called the incident “absurd and illegal,” accusing Hungary’s government of completely ignoring European norms, rules and values.
He noted that the cash transport by road was standard practice after aviation halted due to the war.
“You are asking whether I am surprised by what happened,” Pyshnyy said. “I’d say that I’m enraged.”
Hungarian authorities are returning the bank’s armored vehicles today, March 12, but without the confiscated cash and gold, according to Hungarian outlet Telex cited by Bloomberg.
Background
The detention occurred on March 5 when Hungarian forces stopped two Oschadbank armored vehicles carrying $40 million, €35 million and 9 kg of gold from Austria to Ukraine under an agreement with Raiffeisen Bank Austria.
Kyiv accused Budapest of hostage-taking, rough treatment — including 28 hours in handcuffs without consular or legal access, speaking Russian, and causing one detainee (with a disability) to faint without aid — and money theft.
Hungary cited money laundering suspicions, including a retired Ukrainian special service general among the group, and its foreign minister referenced a possible “Ukrainian military mafia.”
All seven were released on March 6, but assets remain held amid ongoing probes and political tensions.
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