Hungarian police arrest Orbán-era central bank governor on suspicion of fraud and abuse

Hungarian police arrested György Matolcsy, the former Central Bank governor under Viktor Orbán's administration, on Wednesday on suspicion of fraud and abuse, according to Hungarian police and the Central Prosecutor’s Office. Matolcsy, who served as the Central Bank governor from 2013 to 2025 and as finance minister from 2010 to 2013, was detained in connection with a Central Bank-related investigation into criminal misappropriation of funds.

The Hungarian government, led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar, has been prioritizing investigations into suspected financial abuses committed by Orbán-era officials since taking office earlier this year. Matolcsy's arrest comes after a criminal complaint was filed last month, alleging economic fraud that caused significant financial damage and the use of a forged private document. Matolcsy's lawyer stated that the former governor was detained on suspicion of the aforementioned offenses.

The Central Bank's real estate investments and endowments to the bank's foundations have been subjects of controversy throughout Matolcsy's tenure. A criminal complaint was filed last month, alleging embezzlement, negligence, fraud, and abuse of office related to the bank's past real estate purchases that were found to have been purchased for inflated prices, causing significant financial damage to the bank. The detention of Matolcsy could be related to these real estate purchases or the endowments to the foundations.