Szijjártó demands explanation from Ukraine about case of detained Ukrainian cash-in-transit staff

The Hungarian government is demanding an immediate response and an explanation from Ukraine in the matter of the funds transported through Hungary, Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade wrote in a statement half a day after it was revealed that members of the Hungarian Counter-Terrorism Center had stopped two cash transport vehicles traveling from Austria to Ukraine and detained seven Ukrainian citizens, after which the National Tax and Customs Administration launched an investigation on suspicion of money laundering. According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, the cash transporters were "taken hostage" in Hungary.

Szijjártó said it was reasonable to wonder whether the money belonged to the Ukrainian war mafia. The minister added that the National Tax Authority (NAV) launched an investigation on suspicion of a shocking crime, as Ukrainians had transported an astonishing amount of cash and gold through Hungary in recent months. He was referring to the NAV's statement that since January, a total of $900 million and €420 million in cash has been transported through Hungary, in addition to 146 kilograms of gold bars.

According to the minister, the question arises as to why Ukrainians need to transport such huge amounts of cash, given that if this were really a transaction between banks, it could have been done by bank transfer, he wrote. The statement continues by saying that, according to Szijjártó, the cash shipments are escorted by people who have clear ties to the Ukrainian secret services. What is this money being used for, and whose money is it? – he asked.

Szijjártó also demanded an answer to the question of whether, as he put it, this money is only being transported through the country, or whether they occasionally stop, and whether someone here is using this money, or whether it is being used here in Hungary for someone's benefit, he explained. The minister concluded his statement by saying that until they receive answers to the above questions, the Hungarian authorities will conduct the most thorough and in-depth investigation possible.

As previously reported, according to the Ukrainian foreign minister, the seven Ukrainian citizens are employees of the state-owned Oschadbank (Savings Bank) and were driving two of the bank's vehicles used to transport cash between Austria and Ukraine as part of a regular service between state banks. The cars contained a total of $40 million, €35 million, and 9 kg of gold.

Shortly after Szijjártó’s statement, the Government’s Information Center announced that they would be deporting the seven Ukrainian citizens who participated in the transporting of money and gold on Hungary's territory on Friday, according to the Government Information Center (KTK).

According to the KTK's statement, during the proceedings conducted by the National Tax and Customs Administration, "the background of the seven Ukrainian citizens who were brought in has been identified." They claim that the transport of money and gold through Hungary was supervised by a former general of the Ukrainian Defense Service, whose deputy was a former major in the Ukrainian Air Force, and they were assisted by individuals with military experience. "Taking these factors into account, they will be expelled from Hungary on Friday," they wrote.

In response to the incident, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry advised Ukrainian citizens to refrain from traveling to Hungary, "as their safety cannot be guaranteed due to the arbitrary actions of the Hungarian authorities."