National Police open criminal proceedings into fact of abduction of Ukrainian citizens on Hungarian territory
The National Police of Ukraine have launched criminal proceedings in connection with the kidnapping of Ukrainian citizens and an official vehicle belonging to JSC Oschadbank in Hungary.
"Information about the incident has been entered into the Unified Register of Pretrial Investigations under Article 146 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal deprivation of liberty or kidnapping) and Article 147 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (hostage-taking)," the law enforcement agency said on its Telegram channel.
It is reported that police officers from the National Police Department for International Police Cooperation have contacted Europol, the Hungarian Tax and Customs Service, and the police through official channels and are coordinating efforts to clarify all the circumstances of the incident.
Investigative actions are ongoing.
As reported, two cash-in-transit vehicles belonging to the state-owned Oschadbank were seized in Hungary. They were transporting cash and precious metals between Raiffeisen Bank (Austria) and Oschadbank (Ukraine) as part of a regular service between the state-owned banks. According to Oschadbank, the vehicles were carrying $40 million, EUR 35 million, and 9 kg of gold. Seven cash-in-transit workers have also been detained. The Ukrainian side claims consular officials have been denied access to them and demands their immediate release. Hungarian authorities, according to local media, suspect the Ukrainians of money laundering.
