Hungarian investigation examines Orbán's possible role in detention of Ukrainians

In Hungary, the investigation into the March detention of Ukrainian cash couriers and the seizure of gold and currency worth more than €70 million has reached a new level: on October 2, the Central Investigative Prosecutor's Office took over the case. Documents that came into the possession of investigators indicate that the decision to carry out the operation may have been personally authorized by former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. However, Orbán himself has not yet been charged.

This is reported by Financial Times. The outlet views the case as one of the key areas of large-scale investigations into the actions of representatives of the previous government, which the new government of Péter Magyar launched after the change of power in Hungary.

The incident occurred on March 5, 2026. Officers of Hungary's Counter-Terrorism Centre stopped two armored vehicles near Budapest that were transporting cash and investment gold from Austria to Ukraine. Seven Ukrainian citizens were detained, and the cargo with a total value of over 27 billion forints, or about €74 million, was seized.

The money was being transported from Austria's Raiffeisen Bank to the state-owned Oschadbank. Representatives of both banks stated that it was a standard and lawful operation, carried out with the necessary permits. The Austrian side also did not report any violations in organizing the transport.

Orbán's government at the time suggested that the origin of the funds could be linked to money laundering, and pro-government resources tried to connect the cargo to financing of the opposition. According to Telex, no evidence of such claims was publicly presented.

A new turn came after the appearance of prosecution documents. According to information published by Telex, a prosecution memorandum contains testimony from a Hungarian counterintelligence officer, from which it follows that former Counter-Terrorism Centre head János Hajdu acted on Orbán's instruction.

Hajdu himself has already become a subject in the criminal proceedings. He has been charged with seven counts of unlawful deprivation of liberty with cruel treatment. He disputes the charges and does not admit guilt. Another former intelligence officer is suspected of forging official documents related to actions against the detained Ukrainians.

On October 2, the Central Investigative Prosecutor's Office decided to take the investigation away from the Budapest Investigative Prosecutor's Office. The agency stated that the investigation would cover all circumstances of the case, regardless of which individuals and state bodies they concern.

Financial Times notes that the "gold convoy" case could potentially become the first investigation leading directly to criminal legal claims against Orbán himself. However, at the current stage, the former prime minister is not a defendant, and mentioning his name in the investigation materials does not yet mean establishing criminal liability.

The investigation is taking place against the backdrop of a broader campaign by the new government, called "Operation Cleansing Fire". Created by Magyar's government, the National Asset Recovery and Protection Agency has begun investigating several cases related to the use of state funds during Orbán's tenure.

In late September, the parliament also lifted the immunity of two former ministers of Orbán's government — Balázs Hankó and Miklós Seszták. They are suspected of improper use of state funds and receiving large bribes, respectively. Convictions in these cases have not yet been delivered.

Fidesz representatives call the ongoing investigations political persecution by the new government. Magyar's government, for its part, states that the goal of the campaign is to investigate alleged abuses of past years and return illegally withdrawn assets to the state.