Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha considers it "surprising, to say the least" that Hungary still has not returned the assets seized last Thursday, which were being transported through the country by Ukrainian cash-in-transport vehicles. The minister condemned the Hungarian authorities' actions from the outset, calling them "state terrorism." He used the same terminology now, adding that Ukraine would not accept ultimatums or blackmail.
According to Ukrinform, as reported by 444, Sybiha again asked the Hungarian government not to involve them in the Hungarian election campaign. The Hungarian authorities released the seven members of the cash transport crew, but are still holding on to the assets, with the National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) investigating suspicion of money laundering.
On Monday, Máté Kocsis, leader of the Fidesz parliamentary faction, submitted a bill on the confiscated assets of the Ukrainian savings bank, which will be debated by the Hungarian parliament in an extraordinary session. At Monday's meeting of the National Security Committee, members discussed how the transport of unusual amounts of cash and gold through Hungary could pose a threat to national security.
The arrest of the Ukrainian cash transporters on Thursday added further strain to the already tense Hungarian-Ukrainian relations. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that the Hungarian authorities had "effectively taken hostage" the employees of the Ukrainian state savings bank. The minister also hinted at sanctions against Hungary in a post saying that those behind the operation would be held accountable.
The seven Ukrainian citizens detained while transporting the assets were taken from the scene with their faces covered and handcuffed by members of the TEK and NAV special forces. According to the Ukrainians' lawyer, there was nothing unusual about the shipment they were transporting from Austria to Ukraine, and they were not personally suspected of anything.
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