Ukraine's ombudsman demands explanation from Hungary over detention of 7 Ukrainian cash-in-transit guards
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, has contacted his Hungarian counterpart over the detention of seven Ukrainian cash-in-transit guards and requested an explanation of the legal grounds for their detention, as well as information about their whereabouts and the conditions in which they are being held.
Source: Lubinets
Quote: "I have learned that in Hungary, two cash-in-transit vehicles belonging to the state-owned Oschadbank of Ukraine were detained. They were transporting significant amounts of cash and bank gold from Austria to Ukraine.
The transportation was carried out in accordance with an international agreement between the banks and in line with current European customs procedures. Meanwhile, the whereabouts of the seven cash-collection employees remain unknown."
Details: According to Lubinets, in his appeal, he requested urgent answers to several questions: on what grounds the Ukrainians were detained, where exactly they are currently being held, and under what conditions.
The ombudsman also proposed holding an urgent online meeting in order to clarify all the circumstances and ensure the rights of Ukrainian citizens are respected.
Background:
- As reported, the National Bank of Ukraine said on the night of 5-6 March that Hungary's authorities had seized Ukrainian cash-in-transit guards and a large amount of currency.
- It later became known that the cash-in-transit vehicles abducted by Hungarian law enforcement officers were hidden at Hungary's Counterterrorism Centre. It is worth noting that this body had previously taken part in anti-Ukrainian provocations by Orbán's regime. Meanwhile, the whereabouts of the bank employees remain unknown.
- Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reported that Hungary has still not granted Ukrainian consuls access to the seven Ukrainian cash-in-transit guards.
- Hungary's National Tax and Customs Administration stated that the vehicles and bank employees were detained on suspicion of money laundering.
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