Former Hungarian culture minister Balazs Hanko was detained on Monday following allegations of misappropriation at the National Cultural Fund (NKA). Lawmakers voted to lift his parliamentary immunity before his arrest. Hanko denies wrongdoing, calling the case a political show trial.
The detentions of former ministers and ongoing investigations into alleged corruption at state-funded bodies highlight significant governance and accountability issues within Hungary's political and economic system, potentially impacting investor confidence and the country's relationship with EU institutions.
BUDAPEST, Sept 29 (Reuters) - A former minister in former Prime Minister Viktor Orban's cabinet has been detained over accusations of misappropriation at the National Cultural Fund (NKA), a body overseen by the culture ministry. Balazs Hanko, who served as culture minister and is currently a member of parliament, was taken into custody late on Monday after lawmakers voted to lift his parliamentary immunity. Hanko has denied any wrongdoing, stating in a live video broadcast on Orban's Facebook page before his arrest that his conscience was clear and that the case was a "political show trial."
Prosecutors confirmed they had taken Hanko into custody and questioned him as a suspect as part of an ongoing investigation into criminal offenses of misappropriation. The investigation follows allegations from several individuals that the NKA channeled billions of forints in state grants to artists and organizations with ties to Orban's Fidesz party through a non-transparent allocation process. Those involved have denied wrongdoing.
In July, police raided the offices housing Hungary's main opposition Fidesz party's internet servers in connection with "misappropriation and other criminal offences" at the NKA. Separately, Miklos Sesztak, who served as minister for national development in Orban's cabinet between 2014 and 2018, was also detained on Monday as part of a different investigation into alleged bribery. Sesztak also denies wrongdoing.
Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who established Hungary's anti-corruption body as part of his anti-graft drive, announced that his body intends to tackle four initial cases. Magyar wrote on Facebook on Tuesday that "Yesterday was an important day. After long decades of lies, millions of Hungarians experienced for the first time what true regime change and equality before the law mean." Magyar claims that corruption and misuse of public funds have cost Hungary 8% to 10% of its gross domestic product in recent years under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has denied allowing corruption to go unchecked during his 16-year rule.
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