On May 18, Oschadbank announced that seven of its employees are no longer subject to deportation from Hungary. The decision was made by the Hungarian Directorate General for Aliens Policing, which rescinded both the deportation orders and a three-year entry ban into the Schengen Area.
According to the bank, the Hungarian authorities have also ordered the removal of related records from official registers. Oschadbank attributed this decision to a formal notification from Hungary’s constitutional protection agency, which retracted previous assessments that claimed a national security threat posed by the Ukrainian citizens.
The bank noted that this notification was issued following a legal challenge against the deportation orders. Notably, the Hungarian authorities acted to revoke the restrictions without waiting for the conclusion of the court proceedings in Budapest.
Yuriy Kation, the head of Oschadbank, who led the bank’s operations in Hungary, described the cancellation of the deportation orders as a validation of the institution’s position. He stated, “We have defended not only the rights of our people but also the reputation of a state financial institution operating strictly within international law. This victory demonstrates that a systematic legal approach, diplomatic backing, and consistency in defending national interests yield results even in the most challenging international situations.”
On May 6, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Budapest had returned funds and valuables belonging to Oschadbank, which had been seized following the detention of cash transport vehicles.
Earlier, on March 6, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister claimed that Hungarian authorities had effectively taken seven Ukrainian Oschadbank employees hostage. They were transporting cash between Austria and Ukraine when they were detained. The employees were released the same day but were officially deported.
According to the bank, the vehicles contained $40 million, €35 million, and nine kilograms of gold. The National Police of Ukraine has initiated criminal proceedings regarding the abduction of the Ukrainian citizens and the bank’s service vehicle on Hungarian territory.
At the time, Hungary’s then-Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto expressed concerns regarding the transportation of cash through the country and stated that a thorough investigation would be conducted.
Hungary has revoked deportation orders for seven employees of Oschadbank, following a legal challenge. The decision reflects a shift in the Hungarian authorities' stance regarding the employees, who were previously detained while transporting significant amounts of cash and valuables.