Former head of Hungarian government agency arrested for sending money to Transylvanian Hungarians
Former vice-president Balázs Bus was arrested on suspicion of financial fraud. According to the charges, over 17 billion forints may have been distributed illegally based on 1079 applications.
Former head of Hungarian government agency arrested for sending money to Transylvanian Hungarians
Former vice-president of the National Cultural Fund (NKA), Balázs Bus, has been arrested on suspicion of financial fraud – according to Hirado. Investigators believe over 17 billion forints (approximately 48 million euros) may have been distributed illegally based on 1079 applications since December 2024.
During the investigation, a total of six people were taken into custody, including senior staff of the NKA and the National Cultural Support Administrator, as well as members of a decision-making committee.
All those involved have been suspected of serious financial fraud, which caused significant material damage. According to the authorities, there is a risk of absconding, destruction of evidence, interference with proceedings and reoffending, which is why they requested their detention – a request the court approved.
The NKA was the main supporter of Transylvanian Hungarians who sought assistance from Budapest for cultural, sports and social projects. In a single month, for example, over half of 2000 approved projects for diaspora Hungarians were from Transylvania, with a total value of 5 million euros.
Funds provided by the government went to projects such as infrastructure development, creation of artworks, Hungarian-language media, book publishing, educational and cultural programmes, festivals, and religious and youth initiatives.
A total of 1922 projects received support, of which 1028 were from Transylvania, 453 from Slovakia, 218 from Vojvodina, 164 from Transcarpathia, 41 from Croatia and 18 from Slovenia.
Source: Google News RO — Crime (ro)