Hungarian officials seize $19.5m in cash buried in forests during minister probe

Hungarian authorities have seized approximately $19.5 million in cash, which was discovered buried in forests and concealed in other locations, as part of an ongoing investigation into a former minister from the administration of Viktor Orbán. The National Asset Recovery and Protection Office, an anti-corruption body with extensive powers, announced the findings on Friday after conducting searches over the previous two days.

The investigation focuses on Miklós Seszták, who served as Hungary’s minister of national development from 2014 to 2018. He faces accusations of accepting bribes through a scheme involving the state transport company, specifically regarding the purchase of secondhand buses at inflated prices. The cash was found during criminal proceedings against Seszták, with investigators searching multiple sites on Thursday and Friday.

According to a statement from the agency, the large sums of money were hidden in diverse locations. Investigators found cash buried in forests, concealed within agricultural and warehouse buildings, stored in residential properties, and kept in high-value safes in secluded areas. The total amount recovered included 5,071,632,000 forints, €2,658,350, and $1,257,100 in US dollars, totaling the reported $19.5 million.

The agency stated that its staff deposited the seized funds into the account of the Hungarian State Treasury. Finance Minister András Kármán detailed the logistical effort required to process the money, noting that 12 Treasury employees spent eight hours counting the cash using five counting machines. He shared this information on his social media platform to highlight the scale of the seizure.

Prime Minister Péter Magyar described the event as a potential turning point in the country’s fight against graft. He declared that the seizure officially marks the end of the Fidesz-KDNP mafia, a reference to Orbán’s former governing coalition. Magyar’s government has moved swiftly to address alleged corruption and abuse of office from the previous era.

Magyar secured a landslide victory in the April elections, ending Orbán’s 16 years in power. A key component of his campaign was a promise to thoroughly investigate the alleged misconduct that occurred during his rival’s tenure. The new administration has established the National Asset Recovery and Protection Office as a central part of this accountability drive.

The probe has gained momentum in recent weeks, leading to the custody of several high-profile figures. In addition to Seszták, two other ministers from the Orbán era and the former premier’s brother have been taken into custody in separate cases related to graft inquiries. These actions signal a broader effort to hold former officials accountable for their conduct in office.

Viktor Orbán, the former leader, did not immediately react to the latest development regarding the cash seizure. Previously, he had characterized the investigations targeting his inner circle as political persecution, claiming the ultimate goal was to imprison him. His silence contrasts with the public statements from the current government leadership.

The discovery of such a large amount of physical currency in hidden locations has drawn significant attention to the methods used to conceal wealth during the previous administration. The case against Seszták remains central to the broader narrative of reform and accountability championed by the current prime minister.

As the criminal proceedings continue, the Hungarian government aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of its new anti-corruption measures. The seizure of the funds serves as a tangible result of the intensified efforts to scrutinize the financial dealings of officials from the past decade and a half.