Suspects in Budapest corruption scandal to remain in custody
The court has extended custody for four suspects in the Budapest corruption case for thirty days, including two former Momentum politicians. According to the charges, more than two billion forints in bribes changed hands.
Suspects in Budapest corruption scandal to remain in custody
The court ruled on Monday that four suspects in the Budapest corruption case will remain in custody for another thirty days. According to the ruling reported by 24.hu, detention will continue for Tünde Szkaliczki and Károly Matisz, former politicians of Momentum, as well as Tamás Gy., known as the owner of one of the country's largest catering companies, and a fourth individual.
According to the investigation, the actual head of a park maintenance company regularly transferred money to municipal decision-makers between 2011 and 2024 to obtain or retain contracts. Authorities say the amounts paid in this manner exceeded two billion forints.
The suspicion is that the entrepreneur initially gave money to Péter Puskás, a Fidesz deputy mayor, in the 3rd district, which he shared with Gergő Czeglédy, a Socialist representative. Later, when the political balance of power changed, the distribution ratio reversed. The entrepreneur allegedly paid Tünde Szkaliczki and Károly Matisz to stop a Momentum representative who was criticising the park maintenance contract.
In the 2nd district, Zsolt Láng, a Fidesz mayor, and later Gergely Őrsi, a Socialist mayor, received similar payments. Csaba Gór, a Fidesz district chairman, and Zsolt Molnár, a Socialist member of parliament, also received funds.
According to another line of investigation, the same entrepreneur helped the owner of a catering company group ensure its contracts with similar bribes. This company group is Hungast, which operates school canteens.
A decision on the fate of the Fidesz and Socialist suspects involved is expected this week.
Source: 24.hu