Hungary Recovers Nearly $20 Million in Cash During Probe Into Former Orban Minister

Hungarian authorities have recovered nearly $20 million in cash during a bribery investigation involving Miklos Sesztak, who served as development minister under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The money was discovered buried in forests, hidden inside farm buildings and warehouses, and stored in a residential property and a high-value safe. According to the National Asset Recovery and Protection Office, the recovered amount included 5.07 billion forints, €2.66 million and $1.26 million. A team of State Treasury workers reportedly took eight hours to count the cash using five banknote-counting machines.

The investigation is part of a wider anti-corruption campaign launched by Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who defeated Orban in the April 2026 election after 16 years of his government. Magyar has pledged to investigate alleged corruption and improve Hungary’s relations with the European Union. Two former government ministers and former central bank chief Gyorgy Matolcsy have also been arrested in separate corruption investigations, while Orban’s brother has been detained in a people-smuggling case. Sesztak has denied any wrongdoing, and his lawyer has not publicly responded to the latest recovery announcement.

Magyar described the cash recovery as a significant development in efforts to address alleged corruption during Orban’s time in power. The anti-corruption initiative, known as Operation Purgatory, has received considerable public attention, with a recent Median survey indicating strong public support for the campaign. The investigation has also intensified political pressure on Orban’s Fidesz party, whose support has reportedly declined significantly following the election. Authorities are continuing their investigations into suspected financial misconduct and the recovery of assets.

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