An investigation by the Hungarian outlet Telex has alleged that the March seizure of a Ukrainian bank convoy carrying cash and gold near Budapest was ordered directly by former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and was motivated by political considerations rather than legitimate law enforcement concerns.
The convoy, which was transporting approximately USD80-82 million worth of cash and gold from Austria’s Raiffeisen Bank to Ukraine’s state-owned Oschadbank, was stopped by Hungarian authorities on March 5. At the time, officials claimed they were investigating possible money laundering. Several employees accompanying the shipment were detained, while the valuables were confiscated. Hungary later returned both the personnel and the seized assets.
According to Telex, the operation had been planned in advance and lacked a solid legal foundation. Journalists cited multiple sources familiar with the case who said the decision to carry out the raid originated at the highest levels of government. “Government officials, namely Viktor Orbán, decided that a raid on the Ukrainian ‘gold convoy’ should take place on March 5, even though there were no professional grounds for such an operation,” the publication reported.
