Hungary’s largest ongoing municipal corruption investigation has expanded significantly, with prosecutors announcing that 12 additional suspects have been questioned in connection with the so-called Óbuda (Budapest’s District III) corruption case.
The latest developments bring the total number of suspects to 32, while prosecutors are seeking the pre-trial detention of eight individuals, including several prominent politicians.
The investigation, led by the Central Chief Prosecutor’s Office of Investigation (Központi Nyomozó Főügyészség, KNYF), centres on allegations of influence peddling through bribery and other corruption-related offences affecting multiple local governments in Budapest and beyond.
Alleged bribery network spanning over the political spectrum
According to prosecutors, the case revolves around a businessman who managed a landscaping and park maintenance company holding contracts with several municipalities, writes 24.hu.
Investigators suspect that between 2011 and 2024, the entrepreneur paid more than HUF 2 billion (currently around EUR 5.64 million) in bribes to municipal officials and political figures in order to secure contracts, improve contractual conditions and ensure uninterrupted business relations. Authorities claim the alleged corruption transcended both electoral cycles and party lines.
The scheme is said to have involved politicians from governing and opposition parties alike. Among those named by prosecutors are former Óbuda deputy mayor Péter Puskás of Fidesz, former MSZP politician Gergő Czeglédy, Momentum politician Tünde Szkaliczki, and Károly Matisz, the party’s director.
Prosecutors allege that payments were distributed among political actors to maintain support for municipal contracts and to reduce criticism of the company’s activities. Meanwhile, Momentum stated that the party will suspend the memberships of the politicians involved in the case.
Current and former district leaders implicated
The investigation has also reached Budapest’s 2nd District. Prosecutors allege that the businessman regularly provided bribes to both former mayor Zsolt Láng and current mayor Gergely Őrsi. Additional payments were allegedly made to influence district representatives and local political decision-making.
Former MSZP Member of Parliament Zsolt Molnár has likewise been implicated. Prosecutors claim he received ongoing payments in exchange for using his political influence over municipal politicians and party networks. Molnár has reportedly challenged the accusations through legal channels.
The case includes a second strand involving a public catering company. Investigators suspect that the company’s owners and executives also paid bribes through the same intermediary network to protect municipal contracts.
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Assets seized as investigation continues
During coordinated operations this week, investigators carried out searches in several locations, including Budapest’s 2nd District. Authorities seized cash and valuable assets worth tens of millions of forints. Parallel asset recovery proceedings are also underway.
Eight of the newly questioned suspects remain in custody, and a court is expected to decide on prosecutors’ detention requests. Officials have stated that further details cannot currently be disclosed in order to protect the ongoing investigation. The Óbuda case is getting bigger and bigger, with investigators suggesting that additional developments may still emerge.
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