Hungarian forces seize millions in Ukraine bank vehicle raid


A proposal initiated by Fidesz parliamentary group leader Mate Kocsis and submitted to parliament by the head of the national security committee was adopted in a fast-track procedure by parliament on Tuesday, with 124 votes in favour, 28 against and 9 abstentions.

The mandate allows NAV 60 days to unveil the origin, destination, use and goal of the money. It may also retain the seized 35 million euros and 40 million dollars in cash as well as the 9 1kg gold bars for the duration of the investigation.

Under the new legislation, NAV is also allowed to collect information in a clandestine manner within the framework of a special investigation.

The investigation must shed light on whether some of the money and gold had been used in Hungary, and which persons or organisations may have benefitted from it. It must also clear up whether "crime, terrorist or political organisations present in Hungary" may have received parts of it, the statement said.

Earlier: 

Who Moved USD 900 Million in Cash Through Hungary

The government demands an immediate response and explanation from Ukraine regarding cash shipments to Hungary, as "it is reasonable to ask whether this involves money from the Ukrainian war mafia," Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó said on Friday.

The National Tax and Customs Administration is currently investigating an alleged crime in connection with Ukrainians transporting "an astonishing amount of cash and gold through Hungary" in recent months, Szijjarto said, according to a ministry statement.

"Since January, a total of 900 million dollars and 420 million euros has been transported through Hungary in cash, as well as 146 kilogrammes of gold bars," he said.

"We have a number of serious questions about this. First of all, this is a huge amount of cash, and we wonder why the Ukrainians need to transport such a large amount of cash. If it is true that this is a transaction between banks, then the question rightly arises as to why the banks do not settle this between themselves by bank transfer, why it is necessary to transport such a large amount of cash, and why it has to be through Hungary," he added.

"These questions arise mainly because these cash shipments are accompanied by people who have clear ties to the Ukrainian secret services. We demand an explanation as to why the Ukrainians have transported such a staggering amount of cash through Hungary in recent months. What is this money being used for, and whose money is it?" he said.

He said another question that demanded an explanation was whether this money was only transported through Hungary, or whether it was sometimes stopped here and possibly used by someone in Hungary, or whether it was used here in Hungary for someone's benefit.

"It is reasonable to ask whether this is money from the Ukrainian war mafia," he said.

"We demand immediate answers and explanations to these serious questions from the Ukrainian side. Until this happens, the Hungarian authorities will, of course, conduct the most thorough and in-depth investigation possible," he said.

The National Tax and Customs Administration is conducting criminal proceedings on suspicion of money laundering after seven Ukrainian citizens, including a former secret service general, were arrested on Thursday for transporting 40 million dollars, 35 million euros, and 9 kilogrammess of gold from Austria to Ukraine via Hungary.

Kocsis: 'Suspicious Ukrainian cash movements' in Hungary to be investigated

Referring to "suspicious Ukrainian cash movements" in Hungary, the Fidesz parliamentary group leader on Monday called for clarification of the issue, noting that the ruling party has submitted a bill to provide national tax authority NAV with further powers to investigate such cash movements.

In a Facebook post, Mate Kocsis said after a meeting of parliament's national security committee that debate of the bill is being expedited.

The bill is designed to ascertain the "origin, destination, planned use, title and goal for transportation in Hungary" of Ukrainian assets recently seized in Hungary, as well as "the identity of the couriers and their possible association with criminal or terrorist organisations", and the relevant role of Hungary's national security services, Kocsis said.

Meanwhile, the Fidesz politician dismissed "leftist rumours" suggesting Russia was attempting to interfere with the upcoming general election.

He said no direct information from the Hungarian secret services or from their foreign counterparts supported allegations of Russian nationals "pursuing such activities" in Hungary.

"This false claim by leftist media and politicians is a pathetic attempt to divert attention from President [Volodymyr] Zelensky's threats and other attempts to influence the Hungarian election," Kocsis said.

KTK: Ukrainian citizens involved in cash, gold transport to be expelled from Hungary

Seven Ukrainian citizens who participated in the transport of cash and gold in Hungary will be expelled on Friday, the Government Information Center (KTK) said.

During the proceedings conducted by the National Tax and Customs Administration, "the background of the seven Ukrainian citizens apprehended was identified," the statement said.

It was revealed that the transport of cash and gold in Hungary had been supervised by a former general of the Ukrainian Defence Service, his deputy was a former major of the Ukrainian Air Force, and their work was assisted by individuals with military experience, it added.

Taking these factors into account, they will be expelled from Hungary on Friday, KTK said.

MTI Stock Photo - for illustrative purposes only

Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.

Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all narratives within the local media.

XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com
 

*********************************************************************************************

You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: 

Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoop’s groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary

You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters

Showcase Your Business to Expats in the Loop:

As an independent portal we’re grateful to all commercial supporters who help keep you in the loop with fresh insights and inspiration. Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? If so please contact us here.