Hungarian police carried out coordinated raids at 14 locations linked to child protection institutions on Wednesday, detaining five suspects as part of a large-scale investigation into alleged abuse involving minors and the handling of complaints within the institutions.

According to Interior Minister Gábor Pósfai, the operation was led by the National Bureau of Investigation (NNI) under Hungary’s Rapid Response Police. Authorities are investigating allegations of abuse against minors in child protection facilities, as well as whether institutions failed to properly handle complaints and notify authorities.

Authorities investigating alleged institutional failures

In a statement published on Facebook, Pósfai said investigators had found indications that, in several cases, complaints made by minors were not properly examined, and that authorities and police were not informed.

“The institutions attempted to handle several cases internally, without external oversight,” the minister wrote.

During Wednesday’s operation, investigators reportedly questioned around 120 witnesses across the 14 sites. Five people were interrogated as suspects on charges including child endangerment and other offences involving minors.

Pósfai stressed that “child abuse will not go unpunished” and said further details would be released by police at a press conference on Thursday.

Social affairs minister visits institutions

Social and Family Affairs Minister Vilmos Kátai-Németh also addressed the case in a Facebook post, saying he had set off personally to gather information about the situation.

“I want to see what happened, how the children are doing, and how the adults responsible for them are coping,” the minister wrote, without specifying which institution he was visiting.

Reports link raids to Szent Ágota Child Protection Service

Hungarian tabloid Blikk reported that investigators from the NNI raided facilities operated by the Szent Ágota Child Protection Service early on Wednesday morning. According to the paper, both the institution’s director and deputy director were unavailable during the operation.

The name of the institution previously surfaced in public debate after Prime Minister Péter Magyar claimed in February 2025 that former Peruvian ambassador Gábor Kaleta — who was convicted in 2020 for possessing child abuse material — had attended a national event for children in state care organised by Szent Ágota in 2016.

The child protection service later stated that Kaleta had not been invited by the institution itself.

Police are expected to release additional information following Thursday’s press briefing.

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