Corruption defendant claims he stayed silent on Fidesz politicians due to promises
A defendant in a Budapest corruption case claims he did not speak about government-party politicians earlier because he was promised a lighter sentence. He later told investigators everything.
Corruption defendant claims he stayed silent on Fidesz politicians due to promises
An entrepreneur in his early fifties, regarded as one of the main figures in the Budapest corruption scandal, claims he kept certain politicians' names secret during the earlier stages of the investigation due to promises from Fidesz circles.
According to a witness statement obtained by Telex and given in October 2024, Z. Zsolt said he did not mention right-wing figures because he was told that if he only disclosed details relating to opposition politicians, in exchange he would receive 3 years and 2 months in prison without organised-crime classification, and could be released by Whitsunday 2024.
The man's business activities ranged from park maintenance to parking operations and public catering. Authorities reached him through a case involving an invoicing factory in Kecskemét. The NAV launched proceedings against him for budget fraud committed within an organised crime structure.
In spring 2024, the businessman attempted to reach an agreement. During several days of interrogation, he provided detailed accounts of his political connections, but at that point named only left-wing politicians.
However, half a year later, he gave a new statement, saying he had previously been misled. He then provided a detailed account of how the corruption network operated, spoke about the parking affair in Zugló, work conducted in several districts, and revealed that he had bribed one politician with 120 million forints – he handed over half the money in euros because the man's wife, who lives abroad, needed to be supported.
The Baranya county prosecution ultimately did not reach a plea agreement with him. In June 2025, several politicians were taken into custody, including district mayors and party executives. The businessman's statement includes names of individuals who have not yet been arrested.
Source: 444.hu
Source: 444