Newly obtained witness testimonies have shed light on one of the biggest political and diplomatic scandals of the final weeks of Viktor Orbán’s government, with Ukrainian cash couriers alleging they were subjected to physical abuse and unlawful detention after a dramatic counter-terrorism raid in Hungary in what has since been called the “gold convoy” scandal.
The testimonies, published by Hungarian investigative outlet 444.hu, were given by the seven Ukrainian couriers between 27 May and 10 July via video link as part of an investigation into suspected unlawful detention. The witnesses describe what they say happened after Hungary’s Counter Terrorism Centre (TEK) stopped their convoy carrying more than HUF 27 billion (EUR 74 million) worth of gold and foreign currency on 5 March.
The allegations are the couriers’ account of events and have not been proven in court. However, 444 reports that the testimonies are largely consistent with one another and do not contradict internal documents or previous witness statements from Hungarian authorities that have emerged during the investigation.
‘Someone knelt on my head’
According to the testimonies, the convoy had collected the shipment from a Raiffeisen Bank branch in Vienna before obtaining the necessary customs documentation at Vienna Airport. After crossing into Hungary, police reportedly inspected the documents at the Austrian-Hungarian border and allowed the vehicles to continue.
The situation changed after the convoy passed Budapest. Witnesses say police directed the vehicles into a MOL petrol station near Vecsés, where heavily armed TEK officers surrounded them. The couriers allege they were forced onto the ground, handcuffed, blindfolded with masks placed over their eyes, searched, and separated.
One courier recalled:
“When they removed my bulletproof vest, they stepped on my head. Then someone crouched beside me and knelt on my head.”
According to the testimonies, officers repeatedly demanded to know where weapons were hidden, despite no firearms reportedly being found during the operation.
Convoy leader alleges beating while in custody
The most serious allegations concern convoy leader Hennadiy Ivanovych Kuznetsov, a retired Ukrainian intelligence officer.
He told investigators that he was questioned extensively about his previous military and intelligence service before his health deteriorated while in custody. Kuznetsov claimed that instead of receiving his medication, several officers forcibly attempted to move him into a wheelchair.
He alleged that during the incident he was repeatedly struck in the face and kicked in an injured leg.
“I screamed incoherently,” he reportedly told investigators, adding that he could not identify those involved because several officers wore masks.
Kuznetsov also claimed he was injected with an unknown substance before later being taken to hospital. According to previous testimony from former TEK director János Hajdu, the convoy leader was treated at two Budapest hospitals while remaining in TEK custody.
Other witnesses report hearing screams
Several other couriers said they heard shouting during the interrogations. One witness said that while being questioned, he heard “terrible screaming” coming from another room that lasted for about a minute and sounded as though someone was in severe pain.
According to earlier evidence cited by 444, a senior official at Hungary’s National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) was also informed by colleagues that shouting could be heard during the questioning, although the official said they did not know what had caused it.
Background: Hungary’s ‘gold convoy’ affair
The case became one of the most controversial episodes before Hungary’s April general election.
The convoy was transporting cash and gold belonging to Ukraine’s state-owned Oschadbank from Austria to Ukraine. Lawyers representing both the Ukrainian bank and Austria’s Raiffeisen Bank have consistently maintained that the shipment was fully documented and legally transported with the required permits.
Despite this, the previous Orbán government suggested the shipment could be linked to money laundering and, without presenting public evidence, hinted at possible connections to financing the opposition Tisza Party.
Subsequent investigations took a different turn. The confiscated assets have since been returned to the Ukrainian bank, while Hungarian prosecutors are reportedly preparing to close the money laundering investigation against the couriers due to a lack of evidence of any crime.
Meanwhile, the investigation into the conduct of Hungarian authorities has continued.
On 29 June, former TEK director János Hajdu was formally named as a suspect on suspicion of unlawful detention involving the mistreatment of detainees.
Earlier reporting by Hungarian media also suggested that prosecutors have examined the role of several former senior officials involved in authorising the operation, while previous reports claimed the raid itself had been ordered at the highest political level.
If you missed it:
- Ukrainian bank staff detained in Hungary: Kyiv alleges “hostage-taking”, Budapest launches money-laundering probe
- Cash convoy controversy: Orbán ally’s firm transported billions to Ukraine for years
- Hungary’s tax authority finds no evidence of crime in Ukrainian gold convoy case
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