Hungarian Tax Authority Suspends Ukrainian Gold Convoy Probe Pending Austrian Response

Hungary’s National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) has halted its money‑laundering investigation into the so‑called “Ukrainian gold convoy,” which involved about 27 billion forints of gold and cash. The suspension follows the agency’s lack of a response from Austrian investigative authorities, which is required to complete the cross‑border inquiry.

The probe was initiated after a tip from the Constitutional Protection Office and a referral by the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office. NAV has finished all domestic investigative steps and is conducting an internal review to ensure compliance with Hungarian law while it waits for Austria’s reply.

The case has sparked political controversy. Former TEK chief Hajdu János faces accusations of illegal detention of the Ukrainian carriers, and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán publicly backed him, later appointing Hajdu as Fidesz’s security director. Lawyer Laczó Adrienn said, “I sincerely hope that they will interrogate Viktor Orbán as a suspect,” urging accountability for the ministers who authorised the operation.