Seven employees of Ukrainian Oschadbank taken hostage in Budapest
40 million US dollars, 35 million euros, and 9 kg of gold, transported by armored vehicles, were stolen.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha stated that in Budapest on Thursday, Hungarian authorities took seven citizens of Ukraine, employees of Oschadbank, hostage and stole money and valuables, writes «Ukrainska Pravda».
«In Budapest, Hungarian authorities took seven citizens of Ukraine hostage. The reasons, as well as their health condition and the possibility of contacting them, are currently unknown.»
Sybiha noted that these seven Ukrainians are employees of the state Oschadbank, who were performing a trip in two armored vehicles between Austria and Ukraine, transporting money and valuables within the framework of regular transfers between state banks.
«In fact, it is about Hungary taking hostages and stealing money. If this is the 'force' that Mr. Viktor Orbán spoke of today, then it is the force of a criminal gang. This is state terrorism and racketeering. We have already sent an official note demanding the immediate release of our citizens. We will also appeal to the European Union with a request to provide a clear qualification of Hungary's illegal actions — hostage-taking and robbery,» Sybiha wrote.
Also, Oschadbank published a statement regarding the abduction of its employees and the amount of stolen funds and valuables.
«According to GPS signal data, the illegally detained Oschadbank vehicles are currently located in the center of Budapest, next to one of Hungary’s law enforcement agencies. The location of the vehicles has been confirmed by representatives of the Embassy of Ukraine in Hungary and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The whereabouts of Oschadbank employees are currently unknown,» the statement reads.
The bank added that the transport of money and valuables was carried out by Oschadbank within the framework of an international agreement with Raiffeisen Bank International (Austria).
«The cargo was cleared in accordance with international transport rules and applicable European customs procedures. The value of the valuables in the stolen vehicles amounted to 40 million US dollars, 35 million euros, and 9 kg of gold. Oschadbank demands the immediate release of its employees and property and their return to Ukraine,» the bank emphasized.
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