- Category
- Latest news
Ukraine Accuses Hungary of Torture After Illegal Detention of Seven Ukrainian Bank Employees
- Authors
![Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko]( "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
-c439b7bd9030ecf9d5a4287dc361ba31.jpg "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
Ukrainian officials have accused Hungarian security forces of torture and inhumane treatment following the detention of seven bank employees on March 5.
The team, working for the State Savings Bank of Ukraine (Oschadbank), was stopped along with two armored vehicles on the Budapest ring road.
Тhe employees were transporting a valuable cargo from Vienna to Ukraine under an international contract between Raiffeisen Bank International AG and Oschadbank, аccording to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Hungarian authorities were aware the couriers were unarmed. Despite this, the detention was carried out by the Hungarian Counter-Terrorism Center using an armored personnel carrier and officers equipped with machine guns and grenade launchers.
After the citizens returned to Ukraine, details emerged regarding their treatment that suggest gross violations of international legal obligations, including the European Convention on Human Rights and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
Today is the third day since Hungarian authorities robbed two Ukrainian armored banking vehicles, which were transiting from Austria, and stole money and precious metals in broad daylight.
— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) March 8, 2026
This money does not belong to Hungary or its government; it is owned by Ukraine's state…
Although the detainees held the status of witnesses, they were kept in handcuffs for 28 hours and transported with blindfolds.
Personal belongings, including mobile phones, were seized, preventing the employees from contacting their families, the Ukrainian Embassy, or their employer. Most of these items were not returned.
One detainee with a disability who requires a specific diet and regular medication only received medical attention after losing consciousness. Despite being diabetic, he was forcibly injected with a substance that caused his blood sugar levels and blood pressure to rise sharply, resulting in his hospitalization.
The Ministry reports that Hungarian law enforcement pressured the detainees physically and psychologically. In violation of standard norms, the citizens were denied the right to give testimony in their native language and were instead addressed in Russian. They were also denied access to legal counsel, ignoring requests from both the detainees and their hired lawyer.
Despite official requests from the Embassy of Ukraine and the detainees themselves, Hungarian authorities blocked access to a consul. While the National Tax and Customs Administration of Hungary initially suggested a consul could be present during proceedings, Hungarian officials later avoided communication or provided false information regarding the location of the Ukrainian citizens.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called these actions unacceptable and a cynical violation of international and bilateral consular conventions.
Although no evidence of wrongdoing was presented and the individuals remained witnesses, the Hungarian Constitution Protection Office decided on March 6, 2026, to deport the group and ban them from the Schengen Area for three years. The Ministry described this as a punishment for the citizens' refusal to provide specific testimony sought by Hungarian authorities.
Ukraine is demanding the immediate return of the state-owned vehicles and the cargo. The Ministry emphasized that these actions are viewed as “state banditry” and may be equated to hostage-taking and property theft.
Ukraine is calling for a decisive response at the European level and seeking accountability for all officials involved in the mistreatment and detention of its citizens. The Ukrainian side stated it will pursue justice through national and international legal means and reserves the right to take appropriate response measures.
Earlier, Hungarian authorities detained an armored bank convoy carrying millions of dollars in cash and gold while it was in transit between Austria and Ukraine. According to Ukrainian officials, two armored vehicles belonging to Oschadbank were stopped by Hungarian law enforcement during a routine transportation of valuables.
Seven bank employees traveling with the convoy were also detained, and their whereabouts remained unknown for a period of time, leading Ukrainian officials to accuse Hungary of state-level racketeering.
-7f54d6f9a1e9b10de9b3e7ee663a18d9.png)
