Seven Ukrainian citizens detained in Hungary have been released and returned to Ukraine, according to a statement from Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha. The release comes after a period of heightened tensions between the two countries.
The individuals were “detained in connection with large sums of cash and gold transported through Hungary,” according to a statement from Hungarian government representative Zoltán Kovács.
Kovács stated that authorities determined the operation was led by a former general of the Security Service of Ukraine, with a former Ukrainian Air Force major serving as his deputy, and with assistance from individuals with military experience. Based on these findings, all seven individuals were expelled from Hungary, he wrote on X.
The Hungarian Tax and Customs Administration had previously detained vehicles belonging to Ukrainian state-owned Oschadbank and its employees on suspicion of money laundering.
Hungarian authorities allege the group was transporting $40 million USD, 35 million euros, and 9 kilograms of gold.
Earlier on March 6, Ukraine’s National Bank reported that Hungarian authorities had seized Ukrainian cash carriers and a large amount of currency. Sybiha subsequently stated on X that the Ukrainian citizens had been “taken hostage in Budapest.”
Complicated relations between Ukraine and Hungary have been further strained following the cessation of Russian oil deliveries to Hungary via the “Friendship” pipeline in February.
