
Former minister Balázs Hankó, who was investigated for the alleged improper use of public resources in the National Cultural Fund, was detained.
AI-generated summary
Péter Magyar's administration has launched wide-ranging investigations into allegations of public spending and corruption during the former Viktor Orban government.
Balázs Hankó, who served as the Minister of Culture in the government of former Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Hungary and is currently a member of parliament, was detained on the allegation that public resources in the National Cultural Fund were used improperly.
Hankó denied the accusations against him and described the investigation as a "political show case".
According to the prosecutor's office, Hankó was detained at the National Tax and Customs Administration on Monday evening after the parliament lifted his immunity.
The prosecutor's office stated that Hankó was questioned as a suspect within the scope of the ongoing investigation into allegations of irregularities in the National Cultural Fund.
BILLIONS OF FORINT FUND CLAIM
The investigation is based on allegations that the National Fund for Culture transferred billions of forints from state grants to artists and organizations affiliated with Fidesz through non-transparent methods.
In July, police raided the offices where servers linked to Fidesz were located as part of the investigation. The investigation examines allegations of embezzlement and other financial crimes.
Those connected to the investigation deny any wrongdoing.
Before he was taken into custody, Hankó opposed the accusations in a live broadcast broadcast on Viktor Orban's Facebook account.
Hankó said, "My conscience is clear, this is a political show case," and did not accept the allegations against him.
ANOTHER FORMER MINISTER IS IN CUSTODY
Miklós Seszták, who served as Minister of National Development in the Orban government between 2014 and 2018, was also detained as part of a separate investigation on Monday.
While an investigation is being carried out against Seszták for allegedly accepting bribes, the former minister denies the accusations.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar's administration, which ended Viktor Orban's 16-year rule in the April 2026 elections, launched comprehensive investigations into allegations of public expenditures and corruption during the previous government.
The newly established anti-corruption agency announced that it initially examined four files. Magyar argues that corruption and misuse of public resources during the Orban era have cost Hungary 8 to 10 percent of its gross domestic product in recent years. Orban denies accusations that corruption was tolerated during his time.
In his statement after the detentions, Magyar said, "After many years of lies, millions of Hungarians saw for the first time what a real regime change and equality before the law means."
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Expanding the scope of corruption investigations
Likely · Within weeks

At the AKP's Extended Provincial Mayors Meeting, it was announced that a total of 9 mayors from CHP, Re-Welfare and İYİ Party will join the AKP. It was stated that the transfers were from İzmir, Tekirdağ, Balıkesir, Erzurum, Kahramanmaraş, Elazığ and Sivas.

Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Austria and Finland stated that an agreement will not be reached unless hundreds of billions of euros are cut in the 2028-2034 EU budget. Countries want agricultural and regional funds to be shifted to defense and innovation.

In his Fox News interview, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio evaluated Iran's nuclear threat, Cuba's economic situation, the election process in Venezuela and the strategic importance of Greenland for US national security.

NATO Spokesperson Allison Hart announced that they responded to the unofficial document sent by Russia. While the alliance condemned Russia's nuclear rhetoric and hybrid threats, it emphasized that support for Ukraine would continue and allied territories would be defended.

At the East-West Forum held in Istanbul, experts from 30 countries discussed the weakening of the Western-centered order, proxy wars and the risks of artificial intelligence-supported warfare technologies on global security.

Syrian General Border Gates and Customs Administration has started excavation and technical preparation works to renew and develop the infrastructure of the Qamishli-Nusaybin Border Gate. The gate, which will be built on an area of 558 thousand square meters, will be the seventh crossing point between the two countries.