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Ukrainian bank worker detained by Hungary was forcibly medicated: Kyiv / Photo: © Hungarian Government/AFP
NYSE - LSE
Ukrainian bank worker detained by Hungary was forcibly medicated: Kyiv
Kyiv on Monday accused Hungary of grossly violating the rights of seven Ukrainian bank employees -- including by forcibly drugging a man with diabetes -- after they were detained with a truck of cash and gold.
Budapest released them following a day of outrage from Kyiv, but is yet to return the $40 million, 35 million euros and nine kilograms of gold bars seized from state-owned Oschadbank as it was being transported through Hungary from Austria to Ukraine.
Kyiv said it was a routine transfer that abided by all relevant laws, but Hungary said they were arrested on a money-laundering probe.
The incident triggered fiery exchanges between two countries that have frequently clashed over what Kyiv sees as Budapest's closeness to Moscow amid the Russian invasion.
Ukraine's foreign ministry said Monday it had secured testimony from the employees, now back in the country, that they had been mistreated in custody.
"The detainees were subjected to psychological and physical pressure," the ministry said.
It alleged they were kept in handcuffs for 28 hours, blindfolded while being transported and were denied legal counsel or access to Ukrainian diplomats.
One of those arrested, who has diabetes, lost consciousness and was then "forcibly injected with a drug that caused a sharp rise in his blood sugar level and the onset of hypertension" that required he be taken to hospital.
Kyiv said the actions were "unacceptable and disproportionate", amounting to a "cynical violation" of the European human rights conventions.
It also demanded the immediate return of the seized vehicles and currency.
Budapest says it arrested them as part of a money-laundering probe, but Kyiv says Hungary effectively took the men "hostage" in retaliation for Ukraine's delayed re-opening of a pipeline carrying Russian oil to Budapest.
The incident comes amid Hungarian anger over the suspension of the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Budapest.
Ukraine says the pipeline was damaged by a Russian attack in January and needs time to repair.
But Hungary, which is a close partner of Russia, says Ukraine is deliberately stalling the re-opening in a form of "blackmail".
E.Walker--SFF
