Hungary Accuses Ukrainian Cash Transporters of Corruption and Money Laundering

The National Tax and Customs Administration of Hungary has unveiled new evidence in the case concerning the seizure of Ukrainian cash transport vehicles and the confiscation of substantial amounts of cash and gold on March 5. This information was disclosed by Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs, who asserted that the cash transport vehicles were allegedly carrying freshly printed euros and dollars that, according to him, had never entered circulation.

Kovacs claims that these banknotes are linked to several banks, including Ukraine's Oschadbank, as well as financial institutions in Poland and Gibraltar. He emphasized that among the evidence is a video recording purportedly showing a former major general of Ukrainian intelligence falsifying documents in a gas station restroom while his accomplices discuss payments related to corruption. He stated that the cargo being transported was valued at approximately $40 million, €35 million, and 9 kilograms of gold, the origin and intended use of which remain unclear.

Kovacs also noted that Hungary has requested international cooperation and denied allegations of illegal activities, stressing that all investigative actions were documented and conducted in accordance with the law.

On the night of March 6, it became known that the Hungarian authorities had unjustifiably detained two vehicles belonging to Oschadbank's cash transport service and seven Ukrainian citizens—employees of the cash transport crew—during the transit of valuable goods through Budapest. The detained vehicles were found to contain significant amounts of cash—$40 million, €35 million, and 9 kilograms of gold. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha expressed outrage, stating that the Hungarian authorities had effectively taken Ukrainians hostage and stolen their money.

Subsequently, Hungary's National Tax and Customs Administration announced the detention of seven Oschadbank employees, allegedly due to suspicions of money laundering. In response to these actions, the National Police of Ukraine initiated criminal proceedings regarding the abduction of Ukrainian citizens and the theft of Oschadbank's service vehicle.

On the evening of March 6, the seven Oschadbank cash transport employees, who had been illegally detained in Hungary while on duty, returned to Ukraine. According to Andriy Pyshny, the head of the National Bank of Ukraine, one of the detainees was hospitalized after being interrogated by Hungarian authorities.

On March 12, Oschadbank's press service reported that the Hungarian side had returned the cash transport vehicles; however, they were found to be damaged. The cash and gold remained under arrest in Hungary, sparking a new wave of outrage from Ukrainian officials.