Hungary Itself Confirmed the Illegality of the Seizure of Oschadbank Assets – Sybiga
Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andriy Sybiga, sharply criticized the intentions of the Hungarian authorities to legally formalize the seizure of Oschadbank’s assets. According to the Foreign Minister, Budapest’s attempt to adopt a special law to legalize the confiscated funds is effectively an acknowledgment that the initial actions of the Hungarian law enforcement had no legal basis.
Sybiga emphasized that the situation involving Ukrainian cash-in-transit personnel has gone beyond international law, turning into an open theft of state assets.
The Ukrainian side is preparing measures to hold all individuals accountable who were involved both in the illegal seizure of property and in the mistreatment of the cash-in-transit crews. While Russia is attempting to use this incident to weaken Ukraine’s position in Europe, Kyiv insists on the immediate return of assets and adherence to interbank agreements. Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs promises to use all available international instruments to stop the legal arbitrariness by the neighboring state.
Sybiga made this statement in response to the submission by Hungary’s ruling party Fidesz of a draft law that would pave the way for the prolonged seizure of the confiscated Oschadbank assets.
It should be recalled that during the detention of Oschadbank employees, the Hungarian authorities violated several international norms, including three conventions.
The head of Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andriy Sybiga, reported that the Hungarian side has still not explained the reasons for the detention of seven Oschadbank cash-in-transit workers.
The National Bank’s team traveled to Budapest following the detention of Oschadbank employees.
Additionally, in Hungary, the detained Oschadbank cash-in-transit personnel were accused of money laundering.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised Ukrainians to refrain from traveling to Hungary.
Hungary announced the expulsion of the detained Ukrainian cash-in-transit employees.
