Hungarian minister Antal Rogán on US blacklist: What you need to know!

Following Tuesday’s meeting of the Hungarian National Security Committee, Zoltán Sas, the committee’s chairman, announced that the Hungarian secret services had officially contacted the relevant US authorities regarding the case of Antal Rogán. The aim of the investigation is to clarify the basis for the US sanctions against Antal Rogán; however, the US side has so far been unable to provide any evidence.

The legal background to the US sanctions regime is that the decision is lawful, as acknowledged by the Hungarian authorities. Antal Rogán’s inclusion on the so-called Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) list occurred in the final hours of the Biden administration, reflecting ongoing tensions in US-Hungarian political relations. David Pressman, the US ambassador in Budapest, stated that Rogán was a central figure in Hungary’s system of corruption, which largely justified the sanction.

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Hungarian intelligence: answers and questions

According to the committee meeting, the Hungarian intelligence services perceive external actors as attempting to hinder the improvement of US-Hungarian relations, particularly in light of a possible Trump administration return.

As reported by Telex, the exact details of the information are classified as state secrets and are not publicly available. At the same time, the request for information from the intelligence services raises the question of whether Antal Rogán himself could gain access to information from US sources, given that he oversees Hungary’s civilian intelligence services.

The deterioration in US-Hungarian relations can be attributed to Hungary’s policy towards Russia, which has been repeatedly criticised by the Biden administration. The sanctions are based on corruption allegations made by the US through a presidential decree. Hungarian public opinion remains divided over the case: while some view it as a legitimate decision, others suspect it is an act of political revenge.

Public opinion and policy implications

According to 24.hu, a significant proportion of respondents believe the sanctions are detrimental to Hungary, while a minority consider them a political move by the outgoing Biden administration.

The political dimensions of the issue are further complicated by the fact that many link the US decision to Hungary’s pro-Russian foreign policy.

Orbán German carmaking industry
Photo: depositphotos.com

Other security issues were also discussed at Tuesday’s meeting, including the Syrian plane hoax, on which no substantive information was provided, and the hacking attack on the Defence Procurement Agency, which poses a serious cybersecurity threat. Further details regarding the attack are expected in February.

Hungarian public opinion is divided on the potential return of a Trump administration. Few believe that a new administration would immediately remove Antal Rogán from the sanctions list. Many anticipate a protracted legal process or a gradual waning of attention on the issue.

The case highlights the complex dynamics of Hungarian-American relations, where geopolitical interests and allegations of corruption are closely intertwined. How the situation unfolds could significantly influence political relations between the two countries in the near future.

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One comment

  1. Norbert

    Again. I would be very surprised if there is not a voluminous file on Mr. Rogán with a thorough analysis, justifying and backing up the decision of placing him on the SDN list. The SDN list is designed to Prevent individuals and entities involved in illegal or harmful activities from accessing the U.S. financial system, deter activities such as terrorism, drug trafficking, weapons proliferation, and human rights abuses as well as support U.S. foreign policy objectives by isolating designated individuals, organizations, and governments economically.

    If there are confidential sources that contributed to the intelligence gathering and evidence – good luck trying to get the agency that gathered the information to disclose. First – you don´t want your sources known (our Politicians would never retaliate, would they?), and secondly, the counterparty (Hungary) may be compromised or perhaps covertly collaborating (he-who-cannot-be-named?) which is also to be avoided, to protect sources and methods.

    As any Hungarian will appreciate – there is an official process Mr. Rogán can follow:

    1. Administrative Reconsideration (Delisting Request)
    Who can request it? Any person or entity listed on the SDN List or their authorized representative.

    How to request it?
    Submit a written request to OFAC explaining why you believe the designation was made in error or why you should no longer be designated.

    Provide evidence or arguments to support your case, such as demonstrating that the circumstances that led to the designation no longer apply or were based on incorrect information.

    Where to send the request?
    The request should be sent to OFAC’s Office of Global Targeting (OGT) via email or mail as outlined on their official website.

    2. Content of the Request

    Your submission should include:

    Full name and contact information.
    A detailed explanation of the reasons for the request.
    Supporting documents and evidence.
    A statement outlining why the designation does not apply or should be lifted.

    3. OFAC’s Review Process
    OFAC will review the submission and may request additional information if needed.
    The agency will consider whether the designation was appropriate based on applicable laws and evidence.
    OFAC has discretion to remove or amend a designation if it determines that it is no longer warranted.

    4. Judicial Review (Optional Step)
    If OFAC denies your request for reconsideration or does not act, you can seek judicial review in a U.S. federal court. This involves challenging your designation as arbitrary, capricious, or not in accordance with the law.

    5. Engagement with OFAC
    Individuals or entities can consult with OFAC or hire legal counsel to ensure their submission meets all requirements.
    During the review, OFAC may allow for continued dialogue to resolve questions or clarify evidence.

    https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-31/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-501/subpart-E/section-501.807

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