The Ukrainian government has called for immediate access to seven of its citizens detained in Hungary, as tensions rise over their alleged capture during a cash transport operation. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, announced on March 6 that Ukrainian consuls have not yet been granted access to the detainees, who are employees of the state-owned Oschadbank.
According to Sybiha, the Hungarian authorities have not provided any explanation regarding the detention. He emphasized the need for their immediate release and indicated that further actions are being prepared, potentially at the European Union level.
In light of the incident, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has advised its citizens against traveling to Hungary, citing concerns over their safety due to what it described as arbitrary actions by the Hungarian government. Additionally, it has recommended avoiding transit through Hungarian territory.
The ministry also alerted Ukrainian and European businesses to the risks of arbitrary asset seizure in Hungary, urging them to consider these factors in their business activities within the country.
Hungarian media reports indicate that the National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) is investigating allegations of money laundering, which led to the detention of the seven Ukrainians, including a former general of the Ukrainian intelligence service. The investigation reportedly involves the Anti-Terrorism Centre.
As of now, the Hungarian Foreign Ministry has not publicly commented on the situation. Previously, Sybiha accused the Hungarian authorities of effectively taking the Ukrainian citizens hostage, stating that they were involved in a routine cash transport between Austria and Ukraine.
Oschadbank has confirmed that its cash transport vehicles were unjustly detained while carrying foreign currency and precious metals. The bank estimates the value of the assets involved at approximately $40 million, €35 million, and 9 kilograms of gold. It has demanded the immediate release of its employees and the return of its property to Ukraine.
Reports from the publication Ekonomichna Pravda suggest that the Hungarian authorities have concealed the seized cash transport vehicles on the premises of their Anti-Terrorism Centre.
In a related development, the Hungarian government recently characterized a statement made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as an “open threat.” During a briefing in Kyiv on March 5, Zelensky mentioned he could provide the Ukrainian military with the address of an individual in the European Union who is obstructing European assistance to Ukraine, without naming anyone specifically.
The Ukrainian government is seeking access to seven detained citizens in Hungary, linked to a cash transport operation. The situation has prompted travel warnings and raised concerns over arbitrary detentions and asset seizures in Hungary.