Authorities seize massive cash amounts during investigations into former Minister Miklós Seszták

The National Asset Recovery and Asset Management Office (NVVH) conducted coordinated searches on November 12 and 13, 2026, resulting in the seizure of vast amounts of cash. The operations took place in Budapest and the counties of Pest, Békés, and Nógrád. Investigators recovered a total of 5,071,632,000 HUF, 2,658,350 EUR, and 1,257,100 USD. The recovered funds were deposited into the Hungarian State Treasury on Friday, November 14, 2026, following an eight-hour counting process involving five machines and 12 Treasury staff members.

Details of the searches and allegations

The cash was discovered in various locations, including residential properties, warehouse buildings, agricultural sites, and hidden within forests. During a search at the house of Miklós Seszták in Kisvárda, investigators located two Wertheim safes, each weighing 1,660 kg. The former Minister of National Development is suspected of receiving more than 11 billion HUF in illegal advantages between 2015 and 2018, though some reports suggest the period of suspected activity may have begun as early as 2014.

The investigation is centered on a bribery case involving Volánbusz Zrt. and bus procurement. This case involves allegations that the purchase of over 600 used buses at prices significantly higher than market value caused a 10 billion HUF loss to state companies. Additionally, a specific probe is looking into a property purchase in Kecskemét, where it is alleged that Volánbusz paid at least 550 million HUF above market value. One news outlet reported that investigators are also examining whether the management of the state asset manager played a role in approving these disputed constructions.

Legal proceedings and official responses

The prosecution has stated that the crimes could be classified as official bribery committed by multiple high-ranking officials as part of a criminal conspiracy. Miklós Seszták, who was arrested in late September 2026 on suspicion of corruption, has had his detention extended by the court until January 30. The investigation has involved assistance from several agencies, including the National Bureau of Investigation (NNI) Criminal Technical Department, the Riot Police, the National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV), and the Hungarian State Treasury.

The Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, commented on the developments, stating that the Fidesz-KDNP mafia is officially over. The investigation continues to examine the roles of various individuals, including businessman Dániel Jellinek and former CEO of Magyar Nemzeti Vagyonkezelő Zrt. (MNV Zrt.) Norbert Szivek.

Glossary

• National Bureau of Investigation (NNI) — The National Bureau of Investigation (NNI) is an agency that includes a Criminal Technical Department. It has been involved in investigations alongside several other agencies.