On March 12, the collection cars of Oschadbank, which were previously detained in Hungary, were returned to the bank’s representatives and Ukrainian diplomats. This was reported by Bukvy with reference to the Oschadbank message. The PromPolitInform portal reports.
“The cars, as well as some of the personal belongings of seven employees of the collection team, were finally returned by the National Tax and Customs Administration of Hungary (NAV) to their rightful owners,” the message said.
At the same time, after the return of the cars, the bank’s representatives recorded a number of equipment damages. As noted in the press service, Oschadbank’s legal representatives conducted a detailed recording of all detected malfunctions on site. They plan to assess the damage in the future.
At the same time, the message added, cash and valuables in the amount of 40 million dollars, 35 million euros and 9 kg of gold still remain in Hungary. Therefore, Oschadbank will continue to consistently defend its rights within the framework of the previously announced strategy: protecting the interests of its employees and returning valuables belonging to the state bank.
Facts regarding the incident in Hungary:
Transportation of funds and valuables was carried out within the framework of an international agreement between Oschadbank and Raiffeisen Bank Austria. The cargo was registered in accordance with international transportation rules and current European customs procedures;
Oschadbank has a valid license for international transportation issued by the State Service of Ukraine for Transport Safety;
During a full-scale war, valuables are transported by banks exclusively by land. Such transportations take place on average every week;
The collection team consisted of 7 full-time employees, whose experience in the bank ranges from 3 to 21 years. Traditionally, the delivery of international cargo is accompanied by one of the heads of Oschadbank’s collection department. This time, the team was headed by the deputy director of the department;
The funds transported from Vienna to Ukraine belong to Oschadbank. These funds were entrusted to the bank by Ukrainian citizens and businesses. They were sent to Ukraine for further use in circulation and saturation of the country’s cash market;
the packaging of money and valuables was carried out in accordance with all regulatory and transport requirements.
What preceded it?
On March 5, Oschadbank reported that two of the bank’s collection vehicles, which were carrying out regular transportation of foreign currency and bank metals between Raiffeisen Bank in Austria and the Ukrainian bank, were detained in Hungary.
According to the bank, the vehicles were accompanied by seven employees of the collection team. Oschadbank claims that their detention took place without explanation.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga also reacted to the detention, according to whom Hungary has effectively taken seven Ukrainians hostage. The reasons for the detention are still unknown. The condition of the Ukrainians is also unknown, as they have not yet been contacted.
The media reported that Hungary is holding the collection vehicles of Oschadbank on the territory of its Anti-Terrorism Center. Nothing is known about the whereabouts of the Ukrainian collectors.
Subsequently, Szybiga reported that Ukrainian consuls have still not been allowed to see the seven Ukrainian citizens – employees of the Oschadbank collection team, who were taken hostage in Budapest.
In turn, the National Tax and Customs Administration of Hungary (NAV) stated that the seven Ukrainian collectors were detained on suspicion of money laundering.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Szybiga reported that Ukraine has secured the release of seven citizens who were held in Budapest. They have already crossed the state border and are on the territory of Ukraine.
After the incident with the detention of seven Ukrainian debt collectors in Hungary, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry recommends that Ukrainians refrain from traveling to this country.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said that Kyiv may initiate sanctions against Hungary due to the detention of Ukrainian citizens in Budapest.
