The Hungarian Godfather: notorious mafia boss on the run

Much like a scene from The Godfather, Hungarian mafia boss László Radnai has vanished into the shadows, leaving authorities scrambling to track him down. Once a powerful figure in Hungary’s criminal underworld, Radnai, dubbed the Hungarian Godfather, built an empire of deception, bribery, and influence, always staying one step ahead of the law. Now, as he evades justice yet again, the question remains: will this be his final escape or just another chapter in his underworld legacy?

The Hungarian mafia boss

As Blikk writes, Hungarian authorities are once again searching for fugitive mafia boss László Radnai after he failed to report to prison in mid-January to serve a three-year sentence for influence peddling. A former homicide detective, Elek Kátai, recalled his encounters with Radnai, stating that the notorious underworld figure had resolved never to return to prison. Radnai, previously sentenced to 12 years in the Kecskemét mafia trial, was released early in 2012 due to health reasons, having provided testimony in multiple high-profile cases, including the Aranykéz Street bombing and several contract killings. Despite cooperating with authorities, he was later convicted of fraud and forgery, returning to prison until 2018.

No intention of serving his sentence

Kátai revealed that Radnai had meticulously planned his escape and had no intention of serving his latest sentence. Now approaching 70, the mafia boss was known for securing deals that kept him out of jail, allegedly trading information on fellow criminals such as Gyuri Tanyi and Tamás Portik. However, his criminal activities did not cease; he was later caught with a fake perfume consignment worth HUF 30 million (EUR 74,729). Kátai, who first encountered Radnai during an investigation into Conti Car Ltd.’s insurance fraud schemes in the early 1990s, emphasised that while Radnai’s group remained detached from direct killings, his influence within Hungary’s underworld was undeniable.

His family background

Hungarian mafia boss László Radnai and his group started with burglaries before quickly moving into more lucrative criminal enterprises, often disguising their activities as legitimate businesses. According to former homicide detective Elek Kátai, their operations proved highly profitable, especially after György Tanyi and his men joined them in the early 1990s, taking on both the dirty work and the blame when necessary.

Despite his deep ties to the underworld, Radnai came from a well-off family, with a father in the Ministry of Defence and a mother managing a branch of the State Insurance Company. Though he did not pursue higher education, he was known for his intelligence, discipline, and persuasive nature, traits that helped him rise to power in Hungary’s criminal underworld.

Gifting cars to the police

Former detective Elek Kátai recalled how Conti Car, linked to Hungarian mafia boss László Radnai, once donated vehicles to the police, a practice also used by law enforcement foundations at the time. While the company initially offered a luxury Mercedes, Kátai insisted on selling it to purchase two more modest Lada vehicles instead. He noted that while the Radnai family never directly asked him for favours in return, they may have approached others. Kátai also emphasised Radnai’s absolute authority, recalling a meeting where a Conti Car manager sought the mafia boss’s approval before proceeding with a shady vehicle deal, reinforcing Radnai’s control over all operations.

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