Two Oschadbank cash collection vehicles and seven employees were detained in Hungary while transporting currency and bank metals between Austria and Ukraine. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry announced the detention of Ukrainian citizens and sent an official note demanding their immediate release.
This was reported by the press service of Oschadbank and the Foreign Ministry.
On March 5, two Oschadbank cash collection vehicles, accompanied by seven cash collection team employees, were unjustifiably detained in Hungary while carrying out a regular transport of foreign currency and bank metals between Raiffeisen Bank Austria and Oschadbank Ukraine.
“According to GPS signal data, the illegally detained Oschadbank vehicles are currently located in the center of Budapest, near one of Hungary’s law enforcement agencies. The location of the vehicles has been confirmed by representatives of the Ukrainian Embassy in Hungary and the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” the statement said.
The whereabouts of Oschadbank employees are currently unknown.
The transportation of funds and valuables was carried out by Oschadbank within the framework of and in accordance with an international agreement with Raiffeisen Bank, Austria. The cargo was cleared in accordance with international transportation rules and current European customs procedures. The value of the valuables in the stolen cars amounted to US$40 million, €35 million, and 9 kg of gold.
Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga called the detention of bank employees a hostage-taking
“Today in Budapest, the Hungarian authorities took seven Ukrainian citizens hostage. The reasons for this, as well as their state of health and the possibility of communicating with them, are still unknown. In fact, Hungary has taken hostages and stolen money. If this is the “force” that Mr. Orban spoke of today, then it is the force of a criminal gang. This is state terrorism and racketeering,” Sibiga said.
The Foreign Ministry has sent an official note demanding the immediate release of Ukrainian citizens. An appeal is also being prepared to the European Union with a request to classify Hungary’s actions, the seizure of hostages, and the robbery.