What’s happening at Hungary’s Semmelweis University? Two senior staff dismissed with immediate effect

The Budapest Police Headquarters has launched an investigation into suspected fraud at Semmelweis University, the force confirmed following press reports. The police are acting on a criminal complaint, but no one has been questioned as a suspect so far. Up to twenty people may be involved in the case, and authorities are continuously hearing them as witnesses.

The rector filed the complaint: two managers dismissed

According to Telex, the procedure was initiated by the university’s rector, Béla Merkely, who terminated the employment of two senior officials of the Student Services Directorate (HSZI) with immediate effect on 13 October. The university said there was a well-founded suspicion of economic misconduct linked to their management roles and previous activities within the student union.

In the meantime, the dismissed managers’ names and photos have disappeared from the HSZI website, which currently does not list a director at all. Both individuals had close ties to the student union: the former director served as president of the organisation for three years, while his deputy worked as a vice-president.

Lawyer of the dismissed director: no criminal proceedings against him

The dismissed director’s lawyer, Zsolt Mórotz, told Telex that his client is not a suspect and is not currently facing any criminal proceedings. He stressed that in his previous positions, his client had no financial countersigning rights or authority to make financial commitments. Therefore, in his view, “there is no economic crime that could even be considered” in relation to his client.