Hungary returns Oschadbank’s collection cars to Ukraine, but without funds and gold

The Hungarian authorities have agreed to return two seized collection vehicles to the Ukrainian Oschadbank, but the money and gold they were carrying remain confiscated. Investigators from the Hungarian National Tax and Customs Service, which is conducting a formal investigation on behalf of the government, notified the Ukrainian side’s lawyers of their intention to return the vehicles on March 12.

There is currently no information on the technical condition of the vehicles. In particular, it is unknown what damage the protected compartment in which the funds and valuables were transported suffered. At the same time, the gold and currency seized by the Hungarian authorities from bank cars remain on the territory of Hungary.

Previously, the National Bank stated that it was conducting a dialogue with European partners and was counting on an impartial consideration of the situation surrounding the funds of the state-owned Savings Bank detained in Hungary. The bank itself emphasizes that after the dismissal of the collection service employees, currency values ​​and gold continue to be held without legal grounds.

This concerns 35 million euros, 40 million dollars in cash, as well as nine gold bars weighing one kilogram each. The total value of these assets is $82.2 million.

Oschadbank demands the return of the property and notes that the transportation was carried out within the framework of an international agreement with Raiffeisen Bank of Austria, the cargo was processed in accordance with European customs procedures, and the bank itself has a valid license for international transportation. Such trips by collection vehicles, according to the bank, take place every week and are a common practice in wartime.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Fidesz faction, the party of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Mate Kocsis, submitted to parliament a bill regarding the seized funds and valuables of the Ukrainian Savings Bank.

The document provides for the seizure of these assets until the completion of the investigation conducted by the National Tax and Customs Service. The department claims that the money transportation was allegedly organized by a former SBU general and a former major of the Ukrainian Air Force, and they were assisted by people with military experience.

The Hungarian side claims that the grounds for the detention of seven Ukrainian citizens were suspicions of money laundering. Against the backdrop of the submission to the Hungarian parliament of a bill on the detention of money and gold seized from Oschadbank, Foreign Minister Andriy Szybiga stated that Ukraine will hold all those involved accountable.