Former Hungarian Minister of Culture and Innovation, Hankó Balázs, appeared in handcuffs and under escort at the Kecskemét District Court on Thursday. The Fidesz MP is expected to appear before the investigating judge, who will decide whether Hankó will remain in custody while the investigation continues.
Hankó is being investigated in connection with the distribution of funds from the National Culture Fund (NKA). According to Hungarian media reports, the former minister was accompanied to court by officers from the National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV).
According to foreign media, journalists present outside the courtroom were kept at a distance by the authorities. Asked how he felt while in custody, Hankó replied briefly: “I declared everything.”
At the time of the answer, the former minister was handcuffed. Hankó stayed in the courtroom for about 15 minutes and then returned for the hearing together with his lawyer. According to the investigation, Hankó directly participated in the allocation and distribution of hundreds of NKA funds during his time as Minister of Culture.
These funds were supposed to be used for cultural purposes. However, authorities suspect that some of them may have been used for other purposes. Among the suspicions is the use of funds for the Fidesz election campaign. Investigators also suspect that some of the funds may have been used for private purposes by the beneficiaries.
Parliament lifted his immunity
The Hungarian prosecutor's office had requested the lifting of the MP's parliamentary immunity last week. The Hungarian parliament then approved the request on Monday, paving the way for criminal proceedings against Hankó.
After the parliament's decision, the former minister stayed in his office in the parliament for several hours. Later, after receiving the official summons, he appeared at the NAV headquarters on Huszti Street. The authorities formally arrested him and transferred him to Kecskemét. The court's decision on the measure to be taken against the former minister is now awaited./
