Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has ordered that a shipment of Ukrainian cash and gold seized last week by Hungarian authorities be held in custody for up to 60 days while his country's tax authority investigates the case.
The gold and the money was being transported through Hungary by road when Hungary seized it last Thursday. Authorities said they suspected money laundering. The shipment included $40 million and 35 million euros in cash, as well as 9 kilograms (19.8 pounds) of gold — worth, based on the current exchange rates, about $82 million.
The seizure has outraged Ukrainian authorities who accused Hungary’s Russia-friendly government of acting illegally.
