Hungary probes seizure of Ukrainian cash and gold

Key facts

• Hungary is investigating its tax authority, counter-terrorism forces, and other agencies over the seizure of a Ukrainian bank transport.
• The transport was carrying $82 million in cash and gold.
• Seven Ukrainians were briefly detained on suspicion of money laundering in March.
• Ukraine's Oschadbank stated the operation was routine for defense procurement.
• Hungary returned the assets to Ukraine prior to the new government's inauguration.
• Prime Minister Peter Magyar has called for the prosecutor general to investigate the matter.

Hungary has launched an internal investigation into its tax authority, counter-terrorism forces, and other agencies concerning the seizure of a Ukrainian bank transport carrying approximately $82 million in cash and gold. The incident occurred in March under the previous government led by Viktor Orban.

Seven Ukrainians accompanying the transport were briefly detained on suspicion of money laundering. Oschadbank, a Ukrainian state-owned bank, described the operation as routine for defense procurement and condemned the seizure as 'state terrorism.'

Hungary returned the cash and gold to Ukraine in early May, a move welcomed by President Volodymyr Zelensky as a step towards repairing relations. Prime Minister Peter Magyar stated that the prosecutor general 'must address the matter without delay' and specified the internal investigation would focus on the implicated authorities.