Hungary seizes $19.5m cash in corruption inquiry into ex-minister

Summarised from 5 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 14 Nov, 17:20 · Archive

Hungarian authorities have seized nearly $19.5m in cash buried in forests and hidden in buildings during an investigation into a former minister.

Hungarian anti-corruption authorities have seized nearly $19.5m in cash during searches linked to an investigation into Miklós Seszták, a former minister under Viktor Orbán. Seszták served as minister of national development between 2014 and 2018.

The National Asset Recovery and Protection Office (NVVH), an anti-graft body established by Hungary's new government, conducted searches on 12 and 13 November in Budapest and three other counties. Investigators found large quantities of cash buried in forests, concealed in agricultural buildings, warehouses and residential properties, and stored in high-value safes at secluded locations.

The recovered money totalled 5,071,632,000 Hungarian forints, €2,658,350 and $1,257,100, with a combined value of $19.5m. Finance Minister András Kármán said on Facebook that 12 employees of the Hungarian State Treasury spent eight hours counting the banknotes using five counting machines. The cash has been deposited into the state treasury's account.

Seszták is suspected of accepting more than $37.2m in bribes and kickbacks connected to the purchase of overpriced used buses by state-owned transport companies and government construction projects. He was taken into police custody in late September and has denied any wrongdoing.

Prime Minister Péter Magyar, whose centre-right Tisza party defeated Orbán in April's election, hailed the seizure as significant. 'This officially marks the end of the Fidesz-KDNP mafia!' Magyar said in a Facebook post, referring to Orbán's former governing coalition. Magyar had promised a sweeping anti-corruption drive, labelling the investigation 'Operation Purgatory'.

The discovery comes as several other Orbán-era figures have faced investigation and detention. Aron Orbán, the former prime minister's brother, has been arrested in connection with people smuggling allegations. Orbán has described the investigations as a 'political witch-hunt' aimed at forcing him out of politics.

How it is being reported

• Nearly €20m in cash found buried, hidden in Hungary corruption caseHungarian authorities investigating a former minister for corruption say they uncovered a trove of hidden cash.Politico Europe · 14 Nov, 13:16
• Hungarian authorities uncover $20m during probe of Orbán-era ministerPrime Minister Péter Magyar promised a sweeping anti-corruption drive after ousting Orbán in April.BBC World · 14 Nov, 10:42
• Hungary: Millions in hidden cash found in Orban graft probeInvestigators discovered bundles of banknotes buried in forests and concealed in buildings. The money was seized during an investigation into a former minister accused of accepting millions in bribes.DW News · 14 Nov, 09:19
• Nearly $20m found in Hungary’s forests, buildings amid corruption probeAn ex-minister faces a bribery probe as Hungary's new government investigates alleged corruption during Orban's rule.Al Jazeera · 14 Nov, 09:08
• Hungary seizes $18m cash tied to ex-Orban-era minister in probeAnti-corruption authorities in Hungary say they found around $18 million in hidden cash.Al Jazeera · 14 Nov, 08:39
• Hungary seizes $19.5m in cash found buried in forests amid graft inquiryAnti-corruption agency carried out searches as part of investigation into Orbán-era minister accused of taking bribes Hungary’s anti-corruption agency said on Friday it had seized cash worth $19.5m (£14.8m) buried in forests and hidden elsewhere while investigating an ex-minister of nationalist former leader Viktor Orbán. Miklós Seszták, Hungary’s minister of national development between 2014 and 2018, is accused of taking bribes in a scheme involving the state transport company, purchasing secondhand buses at inflated prices. Continue reading...The Guardian · 13 Nov, 22:12

In this story: Miklós Seszták · Viktor Orbán · Péter Magyar · Hungary · Fidesz · KDNP · National Asset Recovery and Protection Office

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log