People close to Viktor Orban have amassed enormous wealth over the last 16 years at the expense of state affairs. Photo: Reuters
Orban’s associates are said to be in a hurry to transfer assets abroad
New Prime Minister Peter Magyar accuses people linked to Fidesz of trying to protect their wealth from possible police investigations.
Along the banks of the Danube, the news that Viktor Orban’s era was over sparked several hours of celebration. Joy echoed throughout Hungary, people exchanged hugs and congratulations. For some, however, the convincing defeat triggered a rush of panic.
According to Guardian sources, private jets, allegedly loaded with the wealth of those whose fortunes have soared during Orbán’s 16 years in power, are said to regularly fly abroad. Meanwhile, high-ranking officials close to Orban are said to be checking US visa options and looking for work at institutions linked to the MAGA movement. writes the Guardian.
Accumulation of wealth during reign
It’s a glimpse into the turmoil gripping Hungary as it prepares to turn away from Orbán’s rule. Since taking power in 2010, a small circle of his associates and members of the Fidesz party have amassed enormous wealth, in part due to their increasing control over the country’s economy and EU-funded public infrastructure projects.
After the elections, three members of this inner circle are said to have already started transferring their assets abroad. According to two sources from Fidesz, the funds are said to be moving to countries in the Middle East – Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Australia and Singapore.
Magyar’s accusations and calls for action
Peter Magyar, whose opposition Tisza party won a landslide victory this month, sounded the alarm, accusing people linked to Fidesz of rushing to protect their assets from liability even before his government takes power in early May.
“Oligarchs linked to Orban are transferring tens of billions of forints to the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Uruguay and other distant countries,” Magyar wrote on social media on Saturday. He called on the chief prosecutor, the police chief and the head of the tax administration to “apprehend the criminals” and prevent them from fleeing to countries where extradition would not be likely.
The case of Meszaros and family departures
Magyar said that the family of Lőrinc Meszaros, one of Orban’s closest friends, whose journey from gas fitter to the richest Hungarian was made possible in part by public procurement, is expected to be among those leaving the country. His company did not respond to a request for comment.
“I am also informed that several oligarchic families have already left the country,” Magyar added. “According to reports, some influential families have already withdrawn their children from schools and organized reliable security personnel to leave.”
Media disclosures and potential obstacles
The race to transfer assets abroad was first exposed by independent Hungarian journalists, including the investigative portal Vsquare, which reported that key figures connected to Orbán wanted to protect their assets before they could be frozen, seized or nationalized by the Magyar government. The online portal 444.hu already claimed in March that key people are transferring funds to Dubai.
Their plans could be hindered by a number of officials and law enforcement officials with partial knowledge of what happened during Orbán’s reign, Vsquare warned, “setting the stage for years of efforts to recover allegedly stolen public assets and arrest perpetrators of financial crimes.”
Announcement of the fight against corruption
From the election onwards, Magyar emphasizes that his government will deal with corruption and cronyism, which he says marked the years of Fidesz rule.
“Our country has no time to delay. Hungary is in trouble in all areas. It was looted, exploited, betrayed, indebted and destroyed,” he told reporters the day after the election. “We have become the poorest and most corrupt country in the EU.”
Allegations of destruction of documents
The new leader has repeatedly claimed that potentially incriminating documents are being destroyed in the last weeks of Orban’s rule.
“We are receiving more and more reports about the large-scale destruction of documents in various ministries, in related institutions and companies close to Fidesz,” he wrote on social networks.
Outgoing Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto called the claims “nonsense” and “scandalous” and said they only discarded “redundant hard copies of documents that were also stored electronically”.
