Kiss László claims politically motivated proceedings are being conducted against him in Óbuda
The Óbuda mayor claims that the prosecution is attempting to transform a larger case into municipal corruption. According to the investigative authority, however, the allegations have no foundation.
Kiss László claims politically motivated proceedings are being conducted against him in Óbuda
The Óbuda city leader stated in an interview with HVG that the criminal proceedings initiated against him are not based on genuine criminal offences. Kiss László believes that the investigative authority wants to reframe a national campaign financing scandal into a local municipal bribery case in order to rid itself of the left wing's more popular politicians.
The suspected mayor sees it as the law enforcement services not proceeding from the facts, but rather first selecting their target and then gathering evidence to support it. According to Kiss, prosecutors dictate to those who accept plea deals what they must say, and these constructed testimonies are then turned against the designated public figures.
The Central Investigation Prosecutor's Office sharply rejected these claims. In a press release, they stated that they carry out every step in accordance with the law, and they act whilst taking into account the rights of those involved. They added that their aim is not the downfall of certain individuals, but rather the authentic uncovering of data pointing to the commission of criminal offences.
According to investigative documents, Z. Zsolt, a former head of a local park maintenance company, and Czeglédy Gergő, the district's former socialist mayor, both admitted to being part of a corruption system and transferring part of illegally obtained funds to Kiss László. The current city leader denies this and says that the story of the two men does not hold up.
Kiss László was already accused of official bribery in 2024. At that time, he spent more than half a year in pre-trial detention, but ultimately no charges were brought against him, so he was released. In spring of this year, he was again suspected of further criminal offences, but this time he was not placed in custody. At the same time, police brought in Őrsi Gergely, the mayor of District II, and five other politicians.
The city leader believes that the prosecution carried out political assignments during the previous government period, and since the leading figures have not changed after the election, they continue to apply the old methods. The prosecutor's office, however, emphasises that the investigation is still ongoing and that they take all their measures within the legal framework.
Source: HVG