European Chief Prosecutor Laura Codruța Kövesi says the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) could begin operating in Hungary as early as next year, potentially giving European prosecutors powers to investigate EU-fund fraud, corruption and money laundering in the country.
European Chief Prosecutor gives interview to the Hungarian press
Speaking to Telex during a visit to Budapest, Kövesi said she had met Hungary’s justice, finance and interior ministers, whom she described as strongly committed to making the initiative work. She said the sides had agreed that ten European delegated prosecutors would work in Hungary, alongside police officers, financial investigators and customs officials specifically assigned to EPPO cases.
Hungary did not originally join the EPPO, which began operating in June 2021. However, the EU has now confirmed Hungary’s participation, with the office set to become operational after the appointment of the country’s European Prosecutor.
What could the EPPO investigate?
The chief prosecutor said the office would be able to investigate fraud involving EU funds, as well as related corruption, embezzlement and money laundering. The EPPO’s existing mandate covers fraud affecting the EU budget involving more than EUR 10,000, while cross-border VAT fraud falls within its remit when the damage reaches at least EUR 10 million.
She said the office would examine matters falling within its jurisdiction from 2021 onwards once its Hungarian operation is fully functional. Kövesi also warned that Hungary could become a particular target for Chinese criminal networks, although she did not identify specific cases that could be investigated. The European chief prosecutor said the first investigations could start next year, following the establishment of the Hungarian office and necessary legislative changes.
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Raids, arrests and asset seizures
Kövesi said European delegated prosecutors would have the same investigative powers as domestic prosecutors, including ordering investigative measures, conducting searches, requesting arrests, bringing charges and freezing or seizing assets. The EPPO’s cross-border structure could be particularly significant when allegedly misappropriated money or assets are moved abroad.
The chief prosecutor cited property purchases elsewhere in Europe as an example, arguing that a national authority can face difficulties tracing and securing assets outside its jurisdiction. The EPPO already operates as an independent European prosecution service, conducting investigations and bringing cases before national courts in participating countries.
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‘It is time for them to take back their country’
Kövesi believes some investigations could produce results within a year or two, depending partly on Hungary’s legislative framework and the independence and quality of the prosecutors appointed. She also offered a broader assessment of Hungary’s recent political history, saying: “It is time for them to take back their country,” and arguing that police, prosecutors and judges must be able to perform their duties independently.
Asked about cooperation with Viktor Orbán’s governments, Kövesi said there had been cooperation in some VAT cases, but claimed cooperation became more difficult when investigations involved people close to politicians. The EPPO already has a cooperation agreement with Hungary’s prosecution service dating from 2021, but until now Hungary has remained outside the office’s full operational structure.
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