Oschadbank valuables seized by Hungary. Photo: Hungarian government
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Oschadbank demands Hungary return seized cash-in-transit vehicles and valuables
Ukraine's state-run Oschadbank has demanded that Hungary return its cash-in-transit vehicles and valuables that were illegally seized.
Ukrainska Pravda
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Ukraine's state-run Oschadbank has demanded that Hungary return its cash-in-transit vehicles and valuables that were illegally seized.
Source: a statement by Oschadbank
Details: The bank said that after the unlawful detention of seven of its employees and illegal seizure of the two armoured cash-in-transit vehicles and the valuables they were transporting in Hungary on 5 March, the Ukrainian citizens have since returned home. However, the vehicles and valuables remain in Hungarian custody.
Oschadbank said it would defend its rights in the incident through a two-pronged approach: challenging the restrictive measures imposed by Hungary's migration authorities on the bank's cash-in-transit employees regarding their presence in the European Union, and pursuing legal steps to recover the bank's property.
The property in question includes the two cash-in-transit vehicles, money and valuables worth US$40 million and €35 million, and 9 kg of bank gold.
The bank stressed that it is completely confident regarding the legality of its actions. All relevant information and supporting documents have been submitted to the National Bank of Ukraine. To further confirm its legal position, Oschadbank said it would ask a leading international company to conduct an independent audit of the processes and contractual arrangements between all parties involved in the transportation of the funds and valuables.
Quote: "Oschadbank demands the complete return of its cash-in-transit vehicles and the valuables they were carrying."
Background:
On the night of 5-6 March, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Hungarian authorities in Budapest had taken seven Ukrainian citizens – employees of Oschadbank – hostage and seized money and valuables.
Hungarian authorities later posted photographs of the confiscated valuables and said they were investigating suspected money laundering. The detained cash-in-transit workers were expected to be deported.
Sybiha described the actions as "terrorism and hostage-taking", and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine advised Ukrainian citizens to refrain from travelling to Hungary.
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