Hungary launches official investigation into the 'Gold Convoy' affair of Ukrainian bank 'Oschadbank'

[87216] Hungary launches official investigation into the 'Gold Convoy' affair of Ukrainian bank 'Oschadbank'

Hungary investigates the 'Gold Convoy' detention affair

Hungarian Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, ordered an immediate internal investigation on June 17, 2026, among tax and customs authorities, the Counter-Terrorism Centre, and other government bodies. The investigation focuses on the circumstances surrounding the detention of transport teams from the Ukrainian state-owned bank 'Oschadbank' on March 5, an event that has been dubbed the 'Gold Convoy'. As reported in Лачен пише and Цензор.НЕТ, Magyar has called on the Attorney General to address the issue urgently.

The decision comes against the backdrop of reports in the Hungarian media, most notably an investigation by the 'Telex' website, which claims that the operation was carried out under the direct orders of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. As noted in hromadske, it was alleged to be a retaliatory measure against Ukraine due to disruptions in oil supplies. Other sources, including D7 NEWS | Демократична Сокира, described the incident as a criminal act by the previous administration.

Радіо Свобода, known for its balanced and international coverage, notes that this is a case where Ukraine claimed at the time that Hungary had taken the seven bank employees 'hostage'. The cargo, estimated to include $40 million, 35 million euros, and 9 kilograms of gold, was returned to Ukraine last May, along with the cancellation of the deportation orders for the employees.

Despite the diplomatic tension and the prolonged incident, a series of Ukrainian media outlets, including СУСПІЛЬНЕ НОВИНИ and Укрінформ, emphasize the importance the current administration in Hungary places on uncovering failures within the executive and enforcement echelons under the Orbán regime. The Ukrainian media outlets reporting on the affair maintain a consistent line, sharply criticizing the Orbán administration and highlighting the current political dynamics within the Hungarian system.