Magyar orders investigation into seizure of Oschadbank funds in Hungary

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar has ordered an investigation into the controversy surrounding Ukrainian cash-in-transit personnel and Oschadbank vehicles that were detained in Hungary in March.

Magyar announced the decision in a post on X, according to Ukrinform.

Demanding answers from the Prosecutor General, Magyar stated: “We have ordered an immediate internal investigation at the National Tax and Customs Administration, the Counter Terrorism Centre, and the other relevant authorities in connection with the Ukrainian ‘gold convoy’ case.”

He also called on the Prosecutor General to issue a public statement on the matter without delay.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, on the night of March 6, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Hungarian authorities in Budapest had effectively taken hostage seven Ukrainian citizens – employes of Oschadbank – and seized the funds they were transporting.

According to Sybiha, the seven Oschadbank employees were traveling in two bank-owned vehicles in transit from Austria to Ukraine, carrying cash as part of routine operations between state-owned banks.

Later that day, Hungary’s tax authority confirmed the detention of the seven cash-in-transit employees and the two vehicles carrying cash, stating that it had launched a criminal investigation on suspicion of money laundering.

Subsequently, Hungarian media outlets, citing sources, reported that former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had personally ordered the seizure of the Oschadbank vehicles and personnel in March.

Reacting to those reports at the time, Magyar said that Orbán should be held accountable for the way he managed Hungary’s intelligence and security services.

Photo: Facebook / Péter Magyar