Hungary seizes millions in cash found buried in forests amid corruption investigation

Hungarian authorities seized over €17.5 million in cash hidden in forests and various locations across the country, according to a criminal investigation involving former Minister of National Development Miklós Seszták. On November 12 and 13, the National Asset Recovery and Protection Office (NVVH) conducted coordinated searches in Budapest and counties of Pest, Békés, and Nógrád. The operation recovered 5,071,632,000 forints, which equates to €2,658,350 and $1,257,100.

Investigators found the cash in multiple spots, including buried in forests, concealed in agricultural buildings and warehouses, stored in residential properties, and kept in a high-value safe in a remote location. On Friday, NVVH staff deposited the cash into the Hungarian State Treasury.

According to the investigation, Seszták and the CEO of Hungarian National Asset Management (MNV) allegedly received over 11 billion forints in illicit payments from 2015 to 2018, during their association with a national bus operator, Volánbusz. Previously, a search in October at Seszták's home in Kisvárda uncovered safes commonly used by financial service providers and pawnshops.

On September 30, the Buda Central District Court ordered Seszták's detention at the NVVH's request, with the court extending his detention until January 30, citing the seriousness of the case and the risk of him fleeing or hiding.