Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán Orders Authorities To Hold Seized Ukrainian Cash And Gold
Key Takeaways
- Hungary ordered seized Ukrainian cash and gold held in custody up to 60 days
- Seized assets totalled about $82 million, combining cash and gold
- Hungary's tax authority opened an investigation into the shipment
Orbán orders 60‑day hold
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán issued an order directing authorities to hold a shipment of Ukrainian cash and gold seized by Hungarian forces for up to 60 days while the country’s tax authority investigates the case.
“Hungary orders authorities to hold some $82 million in seized Ukrainian cash and gold Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has ordered that a shipment of Ukrainian cash and gold seized last week by Hungarian authorities be held in custody for up to 60 days while his country’s tax authority investigates the case BUDAPEST, Hungary -- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has ordered that a shipment of Ukrainian cash and gold seized last week by Hungarian authorities be held in custody for up to 60 days while his country's tax authority investigates the case”
ABC News stated that “Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has ordered that a shipment of Ukrainian cash and gold seized last week by Hungarian authorities be held in custody for up to 60 days while his country’s tax authority investigates the case.”
The Associated Press reported the same central fact, writing that Orbán “has ordered that a shipment of Ukrainian cash and gold seized last week by Hungarian authorities be held in custody for up to 60 days while his country’s tax authority investigates the case.”
Ukrainian outlet UNN noted the order as a decree and wrote that “Orbán's decree, signed late Monday evening, instructs the Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration to establish the origin, destination, and intended use of the cargo.”
Value and contents detailed
Reporting from the different outlets provides consistent details on the value and composition of the consignment: roughly $82 million in cash and 9 kilograms of gold.
ABC News framed the shipment size in its headline as “some $82 million in seized Ukrainian cash and gold.”
The Associated Press used the same figure in its coverage, describing the seizure as involving “some $82 million.”
UNN offered a more granular breakdown, saying “The consignment included $40 million and 35 million euros in cash, as well as 9 kilograms of gold worth, based on current exchange rates, about $82 million.”
Seizure and detentions reported
The seizure took place as the cash and gold were being transported by road through Hungary, and Hungarian forces detained personnel involved in the transfer, according to the accounts.
“Information agency «Ukrainian National News» Subject in the field of online media; media identifier - R40-05926 This resource is intended for persons who have reached the age of 21”
Both ABC News and the Associated Press noted that “The gold and the money was being transported through Hungary by road when Hungary seized it last Thursday.”
UNN published and described video footage from the Hungarian Counter-Terrorism Center showing “masked special forces detaining seven employees of the Ukrainian state bank "Oschadbank" who were traveling in two armored vehicles from Austria to Ukraine,”
UNN said the employees “were detained for more than 24 hours and then expelled from Hungary late Friday evening.”
Justification and accusations
Hungarian authorities have characterized the operation as part of an investigation into possible financial crimes, while Ukrainian officials and media condemned the action as unlawful and politically motivated.
ABC News and the Associated Press both said the hold was ordered “while his country’s tax authority investigates the case,”
UNN reported that “Authorities said they suspected 'money laundering.'”
UNN reported Kyiv’s outraged response, saying “The confiscation sparked outrage from Ukrainian authorities, who accused Hungary's pro-Russian government of illegal actions.”
Kyiv's condemnation
Ukrainian leaders publicly denounced the seizure and Orbán’s decree, with Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha calling Hungary’s actions lawless and accusing Budapest of trying to "legalize" the confiscation.
“Hungary’s Orbán orders authorities to hold some $82 million in seized Ukrainian cash and gold BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has ordered that a shipment of Ukrainian cash and gold seized last week by Hungarian authorities be held in custody for up to 60 days while his country’s tax authority investigates the case”
UNN quoted Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha writing that Hungary was “descending into a spiral of lawlessness” and accused the Orbán government of attempting to "legalize" the illegal seizure, adding that “This is a de facto admission that Hungary's actions have no legal basis.”
ABC News and the Associated Press also noted Kyiv's strong reaction while reporting the basic facts of the seizure and the 60‑day hold.
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