Kateryna Zhiriy18:38, 09.03.26

The deputies supported the proposal to consider the draft law in parliament using a simplified procedure.

The leader of Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party, Mate Kocsis, has submitted a bill regarding the seized assets of the Ukrainian Savings Bank , which would allow the seizure of funds and valuables pending the completion of a criminal investigation. Parliament plans to consider it under a simplified procedure, Hungarian news portal Telex reports .

The proposal concerns an “unusual amount” of cash and gold being transported through Hungary. Kocsis is proposing that the assets seized last week be considered confiscated pending the conclusion of an investigation by the National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV). He said the method of transportation and the individuals involved in the transportation “could pose a threat to national security.”

Opposition representatives criticized the accelerated consideration of the bill before the elections and the possible retroactive effect of the law. In particular, the chairman of the committee from the Jobbik party, Zoltan Szas, objected to the proposal being introduced so quickly, which did not allow time to study it in detail. Kocsis noted that the rapid consideration was necessary due to the limited parliamentary schedule before the elections and that the law concerns a specific case.

The committee approved Kocsis’s bill with four votes in favor and two abstentions. The committee members also supported the proposal to consider the bill in parliament under a simplified procedure.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Oschadbank said on March 8 that it would demand the return of money and gold seized in the collection cars by Hungarian authorities. NAV reported that it was conducting criminal proceedings on suspicion of money laundering in the case of the detained Ukrainian collection agents.

Theft of cashiers and valuables from Oschadbank in Hungary – top news

On March 5, employees of the state-owned Oschadbank were kidnapped in Hungary, along with their collection vehicles and valuables. The bank employees were driving two bank cars that were plying between Austria and Ukraine, transporting cash as part of regular services between state-owned banks. 

On March 6, the illegally detained employees of the Oschadbank collection service returned home. However, the cars and valuables still remain illegally detained. Oschadbank stated that they will defend their rights and seek the return of the valuables.

(C)UNIAN 2026