Hungarian security forces injected detained Ukrainian with Muscle relaxant — The Guardian

Hungarian security service officers administered a “forced injection” to one of the Ukrainian cash-in-transit guards from Oshchadbank detained in Budapest in early March, The Guardian reported, citing sources. 

The cash-in-transit guards from Ukraine’s state-run Oschadbank upon their return to Ukraine

The Guardian said the detained Ukrainians were held for more than 24 hours, most of that time blindfolded and handcuffed, before being deported to Ukraine.

During this time, one of the men – a former officer of the Security Service of Ukraine – received a forced injection, sources in Kyiv law enforcement agencies said.

The sources added that they believe the injection contained a muscle relaxant, a substance intended to make a person more talkative during interrogations.

However, the drug reportedly caused a hypertensive crisis and loss of consciousness in the man, who suffers from diabetes. He was taken to a hospital.

One Ukrainian source described the forced injection as a “Russian-style method” reminiscent of so-called “truth serums” used during KGB interrogations in past decades.

Another source said traces of a drug of this class were detected during blood tests conducted after the men returned to Ukraine.

A source in the Hungarian police told The Guardian that colleagues had mentioned the injection but did not know what it contained.

To provide background, Hungary detained seven Ukrainian cash-in-transit guards who were returning to Ukraine on the evening of March 6. However, Orban’s regime seized cash and gold reserves.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also stated that Ukraine intends to ensure accountability for all those involved in the seizure of the funds and the mistreatment of the detained Ukrainian cash-in-transit guards, which went beyond the legal. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends refraining from traveling to Hungary.