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HATC SAMPLE EDITION:
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9th March, 2026
Hungary seizes $80mn from Ukrainian cash couriers
Hungary has deported the seven Ukrainian citizens detained on March 5 while transporting $80 million in cash and gold from Austria to Ukraine, it was announced on Friday.
According to authorities, the shipment, consisting of $40 million and €35 million in euros, as well as nine kilograms of gold, was overseen by a former Ukrainian defence service general, assisted by a former Ukrainian Air Force major and others with military experience.
On this basis, the government ordered their expulsion.
The group travelling in two armoured cash transport vehicles was arrested last Thursday by tax office (NAV) agents in co-operation with the anti-terrorism Centre force TEK.
Cameras were on hand to record the scenes as the agents wrestled the Ukrainians to the ground and handcuffed them.
A tightly edited video of the arrests, along with images of the confiscated valuables appeared on social media on Friday afternoon.
NAV initially launched criminal proceedings on suspicion of money laundering but did not explain the specific grounds, despite reports that the shipment had been declared.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said the money belonged to the state-owned Oschadbank and was being transported from Vienna to Ukraine legally.
Horváth said the seized cash and gold have not been returned and are likely to remain under seizure while proceedings continue.
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Sources regularly consulted, with abbreviations used in text: Népszabadság (N); Magyar Hírlap (MH); Világgazdaság (VG); Napi Gazdaság (NG); Magyar Nemzet (MN); Népszava (Nsz); Kossuth Rádió news (KR); nightly TV news (TV).
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