Hungarian Authorities Detain Oschadbank Employees, Forcibly Inject One

Oschadbank Staff Detained in Hungary

According to Главком: On March 5, Hungarian anti-terror police detained seven employees of Ukraine's state-owned Oschadbank. The bank workers were accompanying a convoy of two armored vehicles transporting funds from Vienna, Austria, to Ukraine through Hungarian territory. The detained men were held in custody for over 24 hours before being released. This incident highlights the operational risks Ukrainian financial institutions face when moving assets across international borders, particularly in neighboring states.

During the detention, one of the men, a former employee of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), was forcibly injected with an unknown substance. The man, who has diabetes, subsequently suffered a hypertensive crisis and lost consciousness, requiring hospitalization. Traces of the drug were later detected in his blood during tests conducted after the group returned to Ukraine. All Oschadbank employees have now returned to Ukraine.

Government Response and Aftermath

The Hungarian government has issued a special decree regarding the seized cash and gold, which will remain under the control of Hungarian authorities for the duration of the investigation. Sources in Kyiv assert that the injection likely contained a relaxant intended to make individuals more talkative during interrogation. The severe health consequences for the injected detainee have raised serious concerns about the methods used during his custody.

This event underscores the tense and complex relationship between Ukraine and Hungary, touching on issues of human rights and detention standards. The reaction from Ukrainian authorities could further strain diplomatic relations between the two nations. It remains unclear how this will affect future financial operations between Oschadbank and Hungarian entities or the security of the bank's personnel abroad.

This incident is not isolated, as Hungary has recently been involved in another significant case, where seven Ukrainians were detained in connection with a money laundering investigation, raising questions about the treatment of Ukrainian nationals in Hungary. The implications of these actions could have lasting effects on diplomatic relations and financial operations in the region.