Hungary seizes about $20 million cash in graft probe
Hungarian authorities have recovered nearly $20 million in cash during a bribery investigation involving Miklos Sesztak, a former development minister under Viktor Orban. The National Asset Recovery and Protection Office said the money was buried in forests, stashed in farm buildings, warehouses and homes, and kept in a safe at a secluded site. Finance Minister Andras Karman said twelve State Treasury staff spent eight hours counting the notes. Sesztak, who served from 2014 to 2018, denies wrongdoing. Two other former Orban ministers and a former central bank chief are also under arrest on graft accusations.
Key facts
- The seized cash included 5.07 billion forints, 2.66 million euros and 1.26 million US dollars.
- Sesztak was arrested at the end of September and is suspected of accepting over $37 million in bribes.
- Prime Minister Peter Magyar's anti-corruption drive is named Operation Purgatory.
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Why it matters
The seizures are part of a wider anti-corruption drive under Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who took office after ousting Orban in April.
What changed
First published from The Straits Times, Al Jazeera English, DR Nyheder, The Jerusalem Post and DW