Detention of Oschadbank Collectors in Budapest: Ukraine Demands Explanations
In Budapest, two cash-in-transit vehicles of Oschadbank were detained along with their employees and a significant amount of money and gold, causing a sharp protest from the Ukrainian side.
On March 5, in the Hungarian capital, Hungarian authorities detained seven employees of Oschadbank who were transporting $40 million, 35 million euros, and 9 kg of gold. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga called this detention a “hostage-taking,” noting that the bank employees were engaged in regular transportation of financial assets between Ukraine’s Oschadbank and Raiffeisen Bank in Austria. Sibiga stated that Hungary is acting like a “criminal group” and accused it of state terrorism.
According to Oschadbank, the actions of the Hungarian authorities question compliance with international transportation and customs procedures. The Ukrainian authorities have already sent a note to Hungary demanding the release of their citizens and will also appeal to the EU to assess the situation.
These events occur against the backdrop of escalating anti-Ukrainian rhetoric in Hungary on the eve of parliamentary elections. Hungary blocks EU sanctions against Russia and a loan for Ukraine. This has become an additional source of tension between Budapest and Kyiv.
It should be noted that the Hungarian delegation, during a visit to Moscow, secured the release of two prisoners with dual citizenship, which was not communicated to the Ukrainian side.
| Assets | Amount |
|---|---|
| Dollars | $40 million |
| Euros | 35 million euros |
| Gold | 9 kg |
