Former Hungarian Culture Minister Detained After Allegations of Misappropriation
Prosecutors said the case involves 1,079 disputed fund transfers and HUF 17.3 billion in alleged damage.
- On Monday, Parliament suspended the immunity of former Culture and Innovation Minister Balázs Hankó, who was subsequently detained by the National Tax and Customs Administration in Budapest.
- Prosecutors allege the National Cultural Fund's Temporary College for Priority Cultural Programmes caused HUF 17.3 billion in financial damage through 1,079 unauthorized cases between September 2025 and March 2026.
- Following his summons, Hankó reported to the NAV facility on Huszti Road, where he was detained and later transported to Kecskemét by a tactical unit for procedural measures.
- Defending his actions, Hankó rejected the allegations as "politically motivated" and maintained that all funds were used to support cultural programmes.
- Authorities have already arrested several figures in the case, including former National Development Minister Miklós Seszták, as the investigation into the disputed funds continues.
49 Articles
49 Articles
Former Hungarian Minister of Culture and Innovation, Balázs Hankó, is suspected of corruption and embezzlement of public funds
A former minister from the cabinet of former Prime Minister Viktor Orban was detained, the prosecutors announced on Tuesday, and he was charged with misappropriation of funds from the National Cultural Fund (NKA), a body under the Ministry of Culture.
Former Hungarian culture minister detained after allegations of misappropriation
A former minister in ex-Prime Minister Viktor Orban's cabinet has been detained, prosecutors said on Tuesday, over accusations of misappropriation at the National Cultural Fund (NKA), a body overseen by the culture ministry.
The representative was transported to Kecskemét, where the proceedings in the NKA case continue.
Balázs Hankó, a Fidesz MP who previously supervised the distribution of funds from the National Cultural Fund as Minister of Culture and Innovation, was taken into custody late Monday night. His former state secretary, Veronika Varga-Bajusz, was also taken into custody. Balázs Hankó was transported to Kecskemét because the criminal proceedings initiated in the NKA case are being handled by the Bács-Kiskun County Prosecutor's Office, and he will …
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