Hungary has opened an internal investigation into its tax authority, counter-terrorism forces, and other agencies related to the March seizure of a Ukrainian bank transport carrying $82 million in cash and gold [1, 2]. Seven Ukrainians involved in transporting the assets in two armored vehicles were briefly detained on suspicion of money laundering [1, 2].
The seized funds belonged to Ukraine's state-owned Oschadbank, which said the cash transport was a routine weekly operation since Russia's invasion of Ukraine [1, 2]. The seizure took place under the government of Viktor Orban, who is seen as a Russia ally and opposed to Ukraine joining the European Union [1, 2].
Hungary returned the confiscated cash and gold to Ukraine in early June, just days before the inauguration of new Prime Minister Peter Magyar [1, 2]. Magyar won a parliamentary election on April 12 that ended Orban's 16-year rule [2].
Following the election, Magyar ordered an urgent inquiry into the seizure and called on the prosecutor general to "address the matter without delay," emphasizing the need for swift justice [1].
The probe aims to clarify the roles of Hungarian agencies involved in the operation and the circumstances around the detention of the Ukrainian nationals transporting the sizable shipment [1, 2]. The government transition appears to have precipitated the review and restitution of the seized assets.
The investigation remains ongoing with the new administration pressing for transparency and resolution shortly after taking office.
