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Hungarian prosecutors confirmed that five suspects have been questioned in the case so far.
In a Facebook post late Thursday, Ruszin-Szendi urged Orbán, the leader of opposition party Fidesz, to take responsibility if he authorized the operation.
“Giving an order is easy, taking responsibility is harder,” the minister wrote.
“Viktor Orbán! Stand before the Hungarian people and tell them clearly, honestly: did you order the gold convoy to be stopped or not? If you did, take responsibility. If not, tell us who made the decision and on what authority. The police officers executing the order should not be the ones to bear the consequences of a decision of as-yet unclear origin,” he said.
Ruszin-Szendi criticized the proceedings against police officers, saying the prosecutor had openly indicated that the order came from senior political figures.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar on Thursday also called it “scandalous” that prosecutors had, according to him, questioned and identified as suspects only “rank-and-file police officers,” rather than their superiors.
The Central Investigative Prosecutor’s Office (KNYF), however, confirmed to state news wire MTI on Thursday that five suspects had been questioned: the director-general of the Counterterrorism Center (TEK), a senior official at the Constitution Protection Office and three police officers.
The three officers are suspected of falsifying official documents in their capacity as public officials. Prosecutors have not sought measures restricting the personal liberty of any of the suspects.
The investigation concerns the March 5 interception of a Ukrainian cash transport traveling from Austria to Ukraine. TEK and intelligence personnel stopped the convoy on the M3 highway and seized several tons of gold and cash. Those escorting the shipment were allegedly detained unlawfully for days.
Former TEK chief János Hajdu had previously been the sole suspect. He was questioned on suspicion of unlawful detention involving the tormenting of victims. He denies wrongdoing, has filed a complaint and remains at liberty during the proceedings.
KNYF took over the investigation on Oct. 2.
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