US imposes sanctions on Orbán's entourage for the first time
Photo: Viktor Orbán (facebook.com/orbanviktor)
The United States has imposed sanctions against one of the closest allies of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Sanctions were introduced against the Chief of Staff of Prime Minister, Antal Rogan, according to the US Department of State.
According to the US State Department, sanctions against Rogan were imposed due to his involvement in corruption.
The US believes that Rogan while holding various positions in the Hungarian government, organized schemes to gain control over strategic sectors of Hungary's economy.
“Minister Rogan has played a central role in enabling a system in Hungary that has benefitted himself and his party at the expense of the Hungarian people. Rogan’s activity is emblematic of the broader climate of impunity in Hungary where key elements of the state have been captured by oligarchs and undemocratic actors,” the State Department’s statement said.
The sanctions are intended to prevent Rogan from using the US financial system for his "corrupt activities." The imposed restrictions include a ban on entry to the US for the sanctioned individual and the freezing of their assets within US jurisdiction, if applicable.
It is also worth noting that Antal Rogan became the first Hungarian high-ranking official to be placed under US sanctions.
Recently, Orbán proposed a so-called trick to continue Russian gas transit through Ukraine. Details can be found in the RBC-Ukraine material.
