Hungarian authorities seize millions in cash during investigation into former minister Miklós Sesták

Hungarian authorities conducted a series of large-scale searches on November 12 and 13, 2026, seizing significant quantities of cash across several locations. The operations, carried out by the National Investigation Bureau, police, and the National Tax and Customs Administration, targeted properties in Budapest and the counties of Pest, Békés, and Nógrád. The National Office for Asset Recovery and Protection (NVVH) reported that the recovered funds were found in diverse locations, including forests, agricultural buildings, warehouses, residential properties, and high-value safes.

The seized cash includes 5,071,632,000 forints, 2,658,350 euros, and 1,257,100 US dollars. While different reports suggest varying total values for the seizure, the official figures confirm a massive recovery of liquid assets. The investigation is part of a criminal case against Miklós Sesták, the former Minister for National Development. Miklós Sesták is accused of receiving bribes and illegal benefits related to state contracts and public procurement. The investigation focuses on suspected illegal benefits received by Miklós Sesták and Norbert Sivek between 2015 and 2018. This includes suspicious contracts involving the state carrier Volánbusz for passenger transport services and the procurement of buses.

Legal proceedings and political context

The investigation into Miklós Sesták has already led to significant legal action. Miklós Sesták was arrested in September 2026, and his detention has been extended until January 30, 2027. This follows a period of political transition in Hungary, where Prime Minister Peter Magyar won a decisive election victory in April, ending the 16-year rule of Viktor Orbán. Prime Minister Peter Magyar stated that the discovery marks the end of the Fides-KDNP mafia.

The legal scrutiny has also affected other figures. Aron Orbán was arrested in late September 2026 on suspicion of human trafficking and abuse of influence. Viktor Orbán, the former Prime Minister, has characterized the investigations against his circle as political persecution and stated that he is 100 percent sure his brother is innocent.

Disputed claims and ongoing investigations

As the investigation continues, some details remain subject to debate. While officials have confirmed the seizure of large amounts of cash, different media outlets have reported conflicting total values for the US dollar amounts. Additionally, there are conflicting reports regarding the specific amount of bribes Miklós Sesták is accused of receiving. Some sources mention 11 billion forints, while other reports suggest the amount exceeds 37.2 million US dollars.

In a separate development related to historical transparency, Hungarian authorities have released a portion of communist-era state security archives for online searching. These archives contain approximately 60,000 names, providing further insight into the country's historical administrative records.

Glossary

• National Tax and Customs Administration — This is one of the agencies that makes up law enforcement in Hungary. It operates alongside the police as a division of law enforcement.