Prosecutor highlights role in tackling graft

Budapest, June 1 (MTI) – The tendency in tackling corruption cases by the Hungarian authorities has been favourable in recent years, but work in this respect should be intensified, the chief prosecutor told daily Nepszabadsag on Monday.

Legal proceedings were brought in more than 3,200 cases last year, three times more than in 2013, but this is not enough, he said. Charges should be brought and final rulings made in even more cases, Peter Polt told the paper.

He said it is a “commonplace” that uncovering corruption cases is almost impossible without applying secret service methods, and Hungary has very strict rules regarding the use of such methods.

Polt added that it would be expedient to review current legislation to allow a more efficient use of information gained through secret intelligence methods.

Commenting on the case of Gabor Simon, a former deputy leader of the Socialist Party, suspected of tax fraud and other crimes, Polt said in his opinion the outcome did not depend on Hungarian authorities. Hungary has turned to Austria and Switzerland for legal assistance and has already received answers to some questions but others are outstanding, he said.

“We are doing our best to clarify the origins of the monies parked on accounts there…” Polt told the paper.

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters