ілюстрація: Getty Images
Hungarian authorities are holding seven Ukrainian citizens employed by Oschadbank hostage in Budapest and have stolen money and valuables, according to Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha.
Source: Sybiha on X, Oschadbank press service
Direct quote from Sybiha: “Today in Budapest, Hungarian authorities took seven citizens of Ukraine hostage. The reasons, as well as their health and the possibility of contacting them, are still unknown.”
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Details: Sybiha stated that the seven Ukrainians are employees of the state-owned Oschadbank, who were traveling in two armored vehicles between Austria and Ukraine, transporting money and valuables as part of routine transfers between state banks.
Direct quote from Sybiha: “In fact, this amounts to Hungary taking hostages and stealing money. If this is the ‘force’ that Mr. Orbán spoke about today, then it is the force of a criminal gang. This is state terrorism and racketeering.”
Ukraine has already sent an official note demanding the immediate release of its citizens.
Ukraine will also request that the European Union clearly define Hungary’s actions – the hostage-taking and robbery – as illegal.
Details: Oschadbank has also released a statement regarding the abduction of its employees and the stolen funds and valuables.
Direct quote from Oschadbank: “According to GPS data, the illegally detained Oschadbank vehicles are currently located in the center of Budapest, near one of Hungary’s security structures. The location of the vehicles has been confirmed by representatives of the Ukrainian Embassy in Hungary and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.”
The location of the Oschadbank employees is currently unknown.
Details: Oschadbank added that the transportation of funds and valuables was carried out by Oschadbank within the framework of and in accordance with an international agreement with Raiffeisen Bank (Austria).
Direct quote from Oschadbank: “The cargo was оформлено according to international transport rules and current European customs procedures. The value of the valuables in the stolen vehicles totaled $40 million USD, €35 million, and 9 kg of gold.”
“Oschadbank demands the immediate release of its employees and property and their return to Ukraine.”
Background:
- On March 2, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated he had satellite images purportedly proving there were no obstacles to the operation of the Druzhba pipeline.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commenting on this, said that satellite images do not reveal all the details. The President of Ukraine also accused Orbán and Fico of selfishness in the situation with the Druzhba oil pipeline.
- Zelenskyy also expressed hope for an end to the blocking of the EU’s €90 billion loan by “one person,” hinting at Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, otherwise he threatened to give the address of that person to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán posted videos on social media threatening force to compel Ukraine to resume transit of oil through the Druzhba pipeline.
