Former Fidesz deputy mayor released in Óbuda bribery case
The investigative authority released one suspect, but seven others are to remain in custody.
Former Fidesz deputy mayor released in Óbuda bribery case
The Central Prosecutor's Office (KNYF) has lifted the measure restricting personal liberty for a former District III Fidesz deputy mayor, Péter Puskás. According to the authority, the exceptional grounds justifying continued detention no longer exist.
In parallel, the prosecution has applied to the court to extend the remand detention of seven other individuals for a further three months. These include two former and current District II mayors, a former socialist parliamentary representative, two Momentum municipal politicians, and two businessmen.
The court originally ordered the detention of the eight individuals for thirty days in early June. This decision was upheld on appeal by the Budapest Regional Court.
According to the allegation, the owner of a company engaged in green space maintenance made illegal payments to local government decision-makers over thirteen years, spanning several electoral cycles. The bribes exceeded two billion forints.
In the prosecution's view, the contractor initially made regular payments to the deputy mayor at the time in District III, which he shared with a socialist municipal representative. Following the political transition, the proportion reversed: part of the money went to a Momentum representative to stop criticism of the park maintenance contract.
The contractor operated in a similar manner in District II: he made regular payments of gratitude to both a Fidesz-affiliated and subsequently a socialist-affiliated mayor. In a separate matter, a public catering company similarly secured its contracts in this way.
Source: Telex
Source: Telex