Key facts
- Hungary's Foreign Ministry has filed a report with prosecutors.
- The report concerns suspected fraud and other crimes related to ventilator purchases in 2020.
- Nearly 17,000 ventilators were bought for a total of 300 billion forints ($963.82 million).
- The ministry claims thousands of surplus ventilators were purchased at inflated prices.
Hungary's Foreign Ministry has submitted a report to prosecutors alleging fraud and other criminal activities related to the purchase of ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Foreign Minister Anita Orban stated that the ministry acquired nearly 17,000 ventilators for 300 billion forints ($963.82 million). The report suggests that thousands of these ventilators were surplus and purchased at inflated prices, making them unrealistic for use.
The investigation focuses on deals made under the previous government.