Orban could stand trial over arrest of Ukraine's state bank employees - FT
Photo: Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (Getty Images)
Hungary’s new government has launched Operation Purifying Fire to dismantle the political corruption system of former Prime Minister Viktor Orban. He could become one of the first individuals convicted in this operation, according to the Financial Times.
Orbán may face trial
A criminal case against Orban is already being prepared, writes the Financial Times. The episode involving the detention of Ukrainian cash-in-transit guards may become the first successful case in court.
In March, Hungary’s counter-terrorism unit seized an Oschadbank (Ukraine's state bank) vehicle containing cash and gold bars worth 70 million euros.
Orban accused Ukraine of secretly financing the Hungarian opposition. However, the cash guards, who were detained harshly, were released the following day. Orban subsequently lost the election, and the money was returned to Ukraine.
Orban is now suspected of having personally ordered the seizure of the vehicle to exploit the situation for his own interests.
Laurent Horváth, the lawyer representing the Ukrainians, stated that it was the first case that could lead to formal charges against Orban. He added that the investigation was nearing completion, while other corruption cases involving him were at a less advanced stage.
Evidence in the Orbán case
Former prosecutor Pál Fürst handled the case against the Ukrainian cash guards in March. He stated that Orban personally ordered the special services to detain the Ukrainian couriers with the cash.
According to him, he reported this to his superiors in the spring. As a result, he received a reprimand, and an internal investigation was later launched against him.
The former prosecutor’s words are corroborated by a June report from the Prosecutor’s Office, which the FT reviewed.
Specifically, János Hajdú, head of the Counter-Terrorism Centre, stated that it was common knowledge that the arrests of the Ukrainians were carried out based on the decision of a person who should not have been involved in the matter.
By this person, he meant Orban, according to the report. Hajdú has now been charged with the illegal detention of Oschadbank employees and their mistreatment.
On the day of the arrest, Orban officially visited the Counter-Terrorism Centre and spoke about a growing terrorist threat.
The tax authority, under Orbán’s administration, also opened a case against the Ukrainians but soon closed it due to lack of evidence.
Orban’s associates
In recent weeks, the authorities have arrested:
- Two former ministers from Orban’s party, Fidesz (for whom parliament lifted parliamentary immunity);
- Several businessmen close to the former prime minister.
György Matolcsy, former head of the central bank and minister of economy, was questioned in a case involving abuse of office.
His son has become a figure in a separate investigation into corruption at the central bank.
New Prime Minister Peter Magyar noted that the investigations must continue and described Orbán’s government as an economic and political mafia.
Orban’s younger brother, Áron, had attempted to arrange the interception of another Ukrainian cash shipment in Austria shortly before the elections. His interlocutor refused and informed the special services.
Furthermore, the scandal involving the gold convoy broke out on the night of March 6. The Counter-Terrorism Centre stopped two armored Oschadbank vehicles on the M5 highway. They were transporting $40 million, 35 million euros, and 9 kilograms of gold from Raiffeisen Bank in Austria to Kyiv.
On March 12, Hungary returned the cash-in-transit vehicles, some of whose equipment had been damaged.
