Former Culture and Innovation Minister Balázs Hankó has been detained after Parliament lifted his immunity over the National Cultural Fund corruption case. His lawyer says Hankó was taken from Budapest to Kecskemét for further procedural measures.

Hankó detained after arriving for questioning

Balázs Hankó, a Fidesz–KDNP MP and former minister responsible for the National Cultural Fund (NKA), was detained late on Monday and taken from Budapest to Kecskemét, according to his lawyer, Gábor Tóth M.

Hankó had received a summons from the prosecutor’s office after Parliament suspended his immunity earlier that day. He went to the National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) facility on Huszti Road in Budapest as requested, but was subsequently detained.

“Somewhat illogically, my client was detained at the NAV facility on Huszti Road, where we had been summoned and, naturally, complied with the summons,” Tóth told Telex. “He was then taken to Kecskemét by a NAV tactical unit, where procedural measures will take place overnight.”

The Bács-Kiskun County Prosecutor’s Office said it could not provide information about an ongoing procedural measure.

Hankó denies wrongdoing

Hankó’s immunity was suspended by Parliament on Monday, alongside that of former National Development Minister Miklós Seszták and Prime Minister Péter Magyar.

The decision cleared the way for proceedings against Hankó in connection with allegations surrounding the NKA. Prosecutors allege that the NKA’s Temporary College for Priority Cultural Programmes used public funds for purposes outside those defined by law in 1,079 cases between September 2025 and March 2026, causing HUF 17.3 billion (around EUR 44 million) in financial damage.

Hankó has rejected the allegations, saying that neither he nor anyone else stole money from the NKA and that the funds were used to support cultural programmes, as intended.

Earlier on Monday, he described the case as politically motivated and said he was prepared to have his immunity lifted in order to clear his name and that of his colleagues.

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A dramatic end to a long day

Hankó spent much of Monday inside Parliament as speculation grew about his whereabouts. He later said he had not been hiding and had been working inside the parliamentary building.

After receiving his summons in the evening, he left Parliament. His departure was broadcast live, and an awkward moment followed when the car waiting to take him to the prosecutor’s office drove away without him after he had said goodbye to his family and placed his bags inside.

He eventually made his way to the NAV facility, where he was detained.

The NKA case has already resulted in several arrests, including former NKA vice-president Balázs Bús and several other people linked to the distribution of the disputed funds. Hankó is now the latest high-profile figure to face criminal proceedings in the investigation.

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