Hungary recovers nearly €20m in cash in Seszták bribery case

Hungarian authorities recovered nearly €20 million in cash during searches on Thursday and Friday in a bribery investigation into Miklós Seszták, a former minister in Viktor Orbán's government.

The National Asset Recovery and Protection Office, an anti-corruption body, said the money was found buried in forests, hidden in warehouses and residential properties, and stored in a high-value safe. The locations spanned Budapest and Pest, Békés and Nógrád counties.

The haul comprised more than 5 billion forints, €2.6 million and €1.2 million. Finance Minister Kármán András said 12 Treasury staff needed eight hours and 5 counting machines to tally it.

Seszták, who is in pre-trial detention, denies wrongdoing.

Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who ousted Orbán earlier this year, launched a wide anti-corruption campaign and greeted the seizure on Facebook: "This officially marks the end for the Fidesz-KDNP mafia!"

The announcement follows the detention of Aron Orbán, the former prime minister's brother, in an investigation into people smuggling. Orbán said on social media that the move, announced by Magyar on Monday, was part of a "political witch-hunt" to get him.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk responded on X to both developments, writing to Orbán: "now I must say I'm impressed as never before."