Hungary recovers $20m hidden in farms, warehouses and forests

Hungarian authorities have recovered around $20 million in cash hidden in farms, warehouses, houses and forests as part of a corruption investigation involving a former minister who served under ex-prime minister Viktor Orbán.

The recovered money, equivalent to approximately Tk 250 crore, includes Hungarian forints, euros and US dollars.

The newly established National Office for the Recovery and Protection of National Assets said the cash was seized during operations on November 12 and 13.

A video released by the agency showed officials digging in the ground under darkness before recovering and counting the money. The cash was subsequently deposited into the state treasury.

Hungary's new Finance Minister András Kármán said 12 officials spent eight hours counting the recovered money.

The investigation centres on former development minister Miklós Seszták, who served in Orbán's government from 2014 to 2018.

He is accused of obtaining $37.2 million through bribes and illegal commissions during that period. Investigators allege that he embezzled the money through the purchase of old buses for a state-owned transport company.

Seszták was arrested in September but has denied the allegations.

Orbán lost the election in April, ending his 16-year rule. He was defeated by Péter Magyar of the centre-right, pro-European Tisza Party.

Several former ministers and officials from Orbán's administration have been arrested since the election.

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