Hungary rallies behind former police officer: EUR 500,000 raised in just half a day!

bence szabó former police officer fundraiser
Screenshot: YouTube/Direkt36

Change language:

A wave of public solidarity has swept across Hungary after a fundraiser for former police officer Bence Szabó raised more than EUR 250,000 in just three hours and EUR 500,000 in half a day, far exceeding expectations.

Unprecedented surge of public support for former police officer

An extraordinary fundraising campaign launched for Bence Szabó has captured national attention, surpassing 2,000% of its original target within hours (at 10.15 AM on Saturday, it stands at 4222%!). Almost 22,000 people have already contributed, with donations continuing to rise steadily.

Notably, the majority of contributions consist of small individual donations, underlining the collective power of grassroots support. The campaign has quickly become a symbol of public engagement, demonstrating that even modest contributions can have a significant impact when multiplied across thousands of supporters.

From investigator to defendant

Szabó, a former investigator in the cybercrime unit of Hungary’s National Bureau of Investigation, built his career on principles of law, integrity and public service. However, his circumstances changed dramatically in recent weeks.

He is currently under investigation on suspicion of abuse of office. Authorities conducted a search of his home, and he subsequently lost his job. The legal proceedings are ongoing.

Reflecting on his situation, Szabó stated: “In an ideal system, I wouldn’t be sitting here. But if I am, it means this system is far from ideal.” Read what happened in our article:

Family launches appeal due to financial strain

In response to the sudden turn of events, Szabó’s brother launched the online fundraiser, calling on the public for support during what he described as a vulnerable period.

The funds are intended to cover growing legal expenses, replace lost income following the termination of his employment, and help repay a previously granted employer loan that has now been called in as a lump sum.

“Every contribution counts, no matter how small. If you’re unable to donate, simply sharing this can make a huge difference,” he wrote on the fundraising page.

A case that resonates beyond one individual

Supporters argue that Szabó’s case raises questions about fairness and accountability. For many, the campaign has become more than a personal appeal: it is seen as a statement about standing up against perceived injustice.

The fundraiser’s message emphasises themes of solidarity and civic responsibility, asking whether society supports those who challenge wrongdoing and whether individuals are left to face the consequences alone.

As donations continue to pour in, the campaign has evolved into a unifying movement, bringing together thousands of people across Hungary.

Growing movement of solidarity

Within hours, the initiative transformed into one of the most notable crowdfunding efforts in recent Hungarian memory. Its rapid success reflects not only support for Szabó himself but also a wider public willingness to act collectively.

Find the fundraiser here!

What happened?

Bence Szabó has come forward publicly about an alleged operation targeting Hungary’s Tisza Party. Shortly after speaking out, authorities conducted a search at his home and workplace, and an investigation was launched against him.

The investigator, Bence Szabó, is a senior officer in the cybercrime division of Hungary’s National Bureau of Investigation (NNI). In a video interview recorded in late February and published by investigative outlet Direkt36, he described how the case unfolded from within the police. Read the story here.

Tags

One comment

  1. I enjoyed donating, but I still wonder what has become of Hungary! I don’t recognize it anymore!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *