Ukrainian bank employees detained and $80 million in cash seized in Hungary
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- Hungarian authorities detained seven Ukrainian citizens and seized two armored cars carrying large sums of cash on suspicion of money laundering, prompting Ukraine to accuse Hungary’s government of hostage-taking and illegal seizure of assets.
- The detainees were employees of Ukraine’s state-owned Oschadbank transporting $40 million, €35 million, and gold worth around $1.5 million between Austria and Ukraine as part of regular bank services.
- Hungary announced it would expel the seven Ukrainians, including former military personnel, without clarifying why suspects were released despite ongoing criminal proceedings.
- The incident has heightened tensions amid a dispute over Russian oil supplies through a pipeline crossing Ukraine, with Hungary accusing Ukraine of obstructing deliveries and threatening countermeasures.
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor
