The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has stated that there were numerous violations of international law during the detention of seven Ukrainian cashiers in Budapest. According to the official comment, the Hungarian side failed to comply with the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, violating the fundamental rights of the employees of “Oschadbank” who were performing a route between Austria and Ukraine.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Violations During Detention and Health Condition of the Detainees
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry emphasized that despite their status as witnesses, the Ukrainian citizens were kept in handcuffs for 28 hours, transported with their eyes blindfolded, had personal belongings confiscated, including mobile phones, and were not allowed to inform their relatives, the embassy, or their employer about their detention. Most of the confiscated items have not been returned to their owners. Special attention was given to the case of a detainee who has a disability and suffers from diabetes — he received medical assistance only after losing consciousness, and the medication that was forcibly administered caused a sharp deterioration in his health condition.
“Although the detainees had the status of witnesses, they were kept in handcuffs for 28 hours. They were transported the entire time with their eyes blindfolded. The personal belongings of the Ukrainian citizens, including mobile phones, were confiscated, and they were deprived of the opportunity to inform their relatives, the Ukrainian embassy in Hungary, or their employer about their detention and whereabouts. Most of the personal items confiscated during the detention have not been returned,” the statement said.
Restrictions on Rights and Reactions from the Parties
According to the Foreign Ministry, the detainees were subjected to psychological and physical pressure, were not provided the opportunity to testify in their native language, and communication occurred in Russian. Ukrainian citizens did not receive legal assistance or access to a consul. In light of these events, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommended that Ukrainians refrain from traveling to Hungary or transiting through the country.
The head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Andrii Sybiha, previously stated that the Hungarian authorities effectively “took the employees of Oschadbank hostage.” The National Police of Ukraine has already opened criminal proceedings regarding the abduction of Ukrainian citizens and a bank service vehicle on the territory of Hungary. Oschadbank itself reported that it had not received any official notification from the Hungarian side and sees no grounds for the detention of cash transport vehicles and personnel. According to the bank, the cash transport vehicles were carrying foreign currency valuables worth 40 million US dollars, 35 million euros, and 9 kg of gold, which belong to the Ukrainian state.
The Hungarian Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, explained that the country’s authorities have additional questions regarding the transportation of such a large amount of cash and gold through Hungary. According to him, the investigation will continue until Kyiv provides clear explanations regarding the origin and purpose of the funds. The Hungarian government has stated that all seven detainees will be deported.