Budapest's actions prove Ochadbank valuables were seized illegally, says Ukrainian foreign minister

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has said preparations in Hungary for a bill allowing the continued retention of valuables seized from Oschadbank cash-in-transit guards confirm that their seizure was illegal.

Source: Sybiha on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Sybiha said Hungary, through its actions in detaining Ukrainian cash-in-transit guards and seizing the valuables they were transporting, "is falling down a spiral of lawlessness".

Quote: "Following their theft of Ukrainian state bank money, they are now putting forward a bill to 'legalise' the illegal seizure. This is a de facto recognition that Hungary's actions lack any legal grounds. They are just adding lawlessness on top of lawlessness."

Details: Sybiha stated that Ukraine intends to ensure accountability for everyone involved in the seizure of the funds and the rough treatment of the detained Ukrainian cash-in-transit guards, which went beyond the legal framework.

Background:

• An MP from the ruling Hungarian party Fidesz submitted a bill that prepares the ground for the long-term arrest of the seized Oschadbank valuables.
• On 9 March, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported that fighters from Hungary's Counterterrorism Centre who detained the seven cash-in-transit guards from Ukraine's state-run Oschadbank were equipped with an armoured personnel carrier, machine guns and grenade launchers.
• Meanwhile, accusations continue to come from Budapest that the seized funds may belong to a "Ukrainian military mafia".
• The seven Ukrainian cash-in-transit guards detained together with the valuables in Hungary last week returned to Ukraine on the evening of 6 March.

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