Sybiga announced Hungary's attempt to legalise the seized funds of Oschadbank
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga said that Hungary is descending into a spiral of lawlessness by planning to legalise funds seized from Oschadbank collectors. This was his comment on a bill submitted to the Hungarian parliament.
"After stealing money from a Ukrainian state bank, they are now proposing a bill to 'legalise' it. This is a de facto admission that Hungary's actions have no legal basis. They are only adding lawlessness to lawlessness," Sybiha wrote on social media on Monday, 9 March.
The minister also said that Ukraine would hold accountable those involved not only in the seizure of funds but also in the cruel treatment of seven Ukrainian citizens. According to him, this violates the European Convention on Human Rights and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
The bill was submitted to the Hungarian parliament by Mate Kocsis, leader of the ruling Fidesz party, Reuters reported.
The document stipulates that the seized cash and gold must remain in Hungary for at least 60 days. During this time, the country's tax service will conduct an investigation.
The bill states that the investigation must establish the origin and destination of the assets, the identities of the couriers and their possible links to criminal or terrorist organisations, as well as the possible consequences of the transport for Hungary's national security. According to the agency, the vote on the bill may take place in an expedited manner as early as Tuesday.
On 5 March, Hungarian law enforcement agencies detained two cash collection vehicles and seven Oschadbank cash collectors. The vehicles were transporting $40 million, €35 million and nine kilograms of gold.
According to the Ukrainian side, the collectors regularly transported currency and bank metals between Raiffeisen Bank in Austria and Oschadbank in Ukraine.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said that his country is investigating what he called a shocking crime. He also noted that Ukrainians have been transporting large amounts of cash and gold in recent months. According to Szijjártó, the question arises as to whether these funds are linked to the so-called Ukrainian military mafia.
On 6 March, the Hungarian side released the detained Ukrainian cash collectors, but did not return the funds and gold.
Andriy Sibiga previously called the actions of the Hungarian authorities in this incident state banditry and stated that Hungarian officials had stolen money and precious metals in broad daylight.
