Hungary seizes 17.7 million euros in cash in corruption probe of ex-minister Seszták

The searches

Hungarian authorities said the National Asset Recovery and Protection Office (NVVH), an anti-corruption body with broad powers set up by the new government, carried out searches at several locations on Thursday, 12 November, and Friday, 13 November 2026. The operation sits within a criminal case against Miklós Seszták, who served as development minister from 2014 to 2018. He is accused of taking bribes linked to the purchase of used buses by the state transport company at inflated prices. The agency announced the seizure of 17.7 million euros in cash.

Where the money was found

According to the NVVH, the cash was buried in forests, hidden in farm buildings, warehouses and private homes, and placed in a high-value safe in an isolated area. Across the two days of searches, the agency counted 5,071,632,000 forints, 2,658,350 euros and 1,257,100 dollars, which it equated with 17.7 million euros. Footage from the recovery work, showing the cash being dug out of the ground, was released alongside the reports.

Hungarian forints5,071,632,000

Euros2,658,350

US dollars1,257,100

Hungarian forints

5071632000 units of each currency

Euros

2658350 units of each currency

US dollars

1257100 units of each currency

Data from the article text

Political backdrop

Prime Minister Péter Magyar won a sweeping victory in the April elections, ending 16 years of government under Viktor Orbán. Magyar has pledged investigations into alleged corruption and abuse of power during Orbán's time as prime minister. Two other former ministers and Orbán's brother have also been arrested and are being held in separate cases. Seszták is one of several figures from the Orbán era now caught up in criminal proceedings.

Reactions

Magyar said the seizure officially marked the end of what he called the Fidesz-KDNP mafia, a reference to the two parties that formed Orbán's governing coalition. Orbán has not commented on the latest developments. In the past he has denounced investigations against people close to him as political persecution intended to get him jailed. The reports do not include any response from Seszták.

What is known so far

The NVVH's figures are its totals for the two days of searches, and the statement does not break them down by location. The seizure is presented as part of a criminal case, while Magyar's pledge covers the wider allegations of corruption under Orbán. The reports carry no response from Seszták to the accusation or the seizure. Further steps in the case have not been described in the articles.