Ukraine praises end to Hungary's 'gold convoy' investigation, calls for more accountability
Hungarian authorities seized two bank vehicles in March traveling from Austria to Ukraine that were transporting a shipment of cash and gold worth about $82 million, claiming they were investigating a money laundering scheme.
On August 19, Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha welcomed Hungary's decision to close a money laundering investigation into a Ukrainian bank convoy. The investigation, which began in March, stemmed from allegations that two bank vehicles carrying a shipment of cash and gold worth approximately $82 million were being used to launder money. Hungarian authorities seized the vehicles and detained employees of Ukraine's state bank, Oschadbank, before releasing them the following day.
Ukrainian officials had previously dismissed the accusations and denounced the seizure as "state terrorism." In June, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban ordered an internal investigation into government agencies involved in the "gold convoy" scandal. The Hungarian Tax and Customs Administration subsequently closed the money laundering investigation, concluding that no crime had been committed.
Sybiha urged that the latest developments in the case should extend beyond public shame. He called for those responsible for fabricating the allegations and illegally detaining Ukrainian people and state property to be held accountable.
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