Hungary hands over 7 detained cash-in-transit staff to Ukraine at border: they are safe

Ukrainska Pravda sources report that seven Ukrainian cash-in-transit staff who were detained in Hungary by officers from the Counterterrorism Centre are being taken to the border to be handed over to Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has said Hungary has already handed the detained bank workers over to Ukraine and that they are safe.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda sources in law enforcement agencies; Sybiha on X (Twitter)

Details: According to the sources, the cash-in-transit staff are currently about 20 km from the border and will be handed over at the Chop checkpoint (Tysa).

Among the detained Ukrainians being taken to the checkpoint are Oleksandr Kucherianyi, Petro Kachalov, Hennadii Kuznietsov, Serhii Sydorenko, Valerii Kanasbevych, Serhii Malko and Oleh Chabauiuk.

Later, the foreign minister confirmed the release of the cash-in-transit staff.

Quote from Sybiha: "I have already briefed President Zelenskyy that we were able to secure the release of seven Ukrainian nationals who were held in Budapest. They are already safe and they have crossed the Ukrainian border. Our consuls have provided necessary assistance."

Details: The minister thanked the Ukrainian team at the Foreign Ministry and the Embassy of Ukraine in Hungary, as well as law enforcement agencies, government institutions, state banks and everyone who helped secure their release.

Background:

• Earlier on Friday, the Hungarian government said it planned to deport seven Ukrainian cash-in-transit guards who have been detained by the National Tax and Customs Administration of Hungary.
• The National Bank of Ukraine was the first to report the seizure of Ukrainian cash-in-transit staff and a large amount of currency. The employees, from Oschadbank, were transporting the cash from Austria to Ukraine.
• Sybiha described the actions of the Hungarian authorities as "terrorism and hostage-taking", and the ministry has advised Ukrainian citizens to refrain from travelling to Hungary.
• The Hungarian government has released a video showing the Ukrainian cash-in-transit vehicles and bank employees being detained by officers from Hungary's Counterterrorism Centre.

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