Former Minister Balázs Hankó remanded in custody for one month – 17 billion forint National Cultural Fund case
Kecskemét District Court on Thursday ordered the remand in custody of former cultural minister Balázs Hankó. The case relates to a 17 billion forint support package from the National Cultural Fund.
Court decision: former cultural minister Balázs Hankó remanded in custody
Kecskemét District Court on Thursday ordered the remand in custody for one month of Balázs Hankó, former minister of culture and innovation – confirmed to portfolio.hu by Marianna Bodó, spokeswoman for the Bács-Kiskun County Prosecutor's Office.
The Fidesz parliamentary representative was transported to court from the cells of Cegléd Police Headquarters, where staff from the National Tax Authority escorted him in handcuffs to the courtroom.
Absconding risk and organised perpetration in the prosecution's argument
The prosecution justified the remand application on the grounds of risk of flight and concealment, and of unlawful interference with proceedings. Their argument held that Hankó faces lengthy imprisonment, his extensive network of connections and the allegedly organised, hierarchical nature of the alleged perpetration warranted the measure.
The former minister is suspected of having participated as minister in the distribution of several hundred grants which, according to the authorities, were used for Fidesz campaigning or the private purposes of beneficiaries instead of cultural objectives.
Five hours of questioning, no admission
Parliament on Monday suspended Hankó's immunity. He was subsequently summoned and taken into custody by the National Tax Authority. His questioning lasted five hours and he made no admissions. His defence counsel stated that the former minister had systematically refuted the allegation in a 25-page statement. Hankó previously described the proceedings as a political settling of scores and a culture policy dispute.
17 billion forint National Cultural Fund scandal
The investigation relates to approximately 17 billion forints in support from the National Cultural Fund, which came to light in April. Based on the support list published later, numerous figures linked to Fidesz received substantial sums. Balázs Bús subsequently resigned from his post as deputy chairman of the National Cultural Fund, and several committee members also departed.
Multiple remanded in custody, mandate and salary remain for now
In addition to Hankó, Balázs Bús, Mária Fásyné Gurzó and Sándor Szabó are currently remanded in custody, with several other suspects under criminal supervision. On Monday, Hankó's former state secretary, Veronika Varga-Bajusz, was also taken into custody; a decision on her remand will be made by the court on Thursday.
Hankó's parliamentary mandate has not been terminated by his remand, so he remains entitled to a monthly gross honorarium of 2.88 million forints as deputy chairman of the Education Committee. Semmelweis University has registered him as on unpaid leave for the duration of his custody.
Source: Google News HU — Crime (hu)