BUDAPEST – Hungary’s tax authorities have halted international money transfers from individuals connected to a key adviser of departing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, according to incoming leader Peter Magyar.
Magyar, scheduled to take office on May 9 following his election victory, announced through social media that Hungary’s NAV tax agency had “suspended several transfers linked to Antal Rogan’s circle worth billions of forints, on suspicion of money laundering.”
The allegations, shared in a social media video posted Monday evening, were not backed by supporting evidence from Magyar, and Reuters could not independently confirm the claims. The amount referenced equals millions of dollars in U.S. currency.
Government representatives did not respond to requests for comment regarding Rogan, who serves as minister of the prime minister’s cabinet under Orban’s administration. Direct contact with Rogan or his legal representation was not established.
When questioned about Magyar’s statements, Hungarian police referenced an existing announcement on their website indicating an ongoing investigation into suspected hiding of illegally obtained money or assets. No suspects were named in the police statement.
Both the tax office and Hungary’s central bank, which oversees financial regulation, failed to respond to comment requests.
Magyar did not specify which individuals within Rogan’s network were involved in the alleged activities.
The incoming leader has previously expressed concerns that Orban’s supporters might attempt to protect profits from what he characterizes as extensive corruption throughout Orban’s 16-year tenure during their remaining time in office.
According to Magyar, banking accounts belonging to “several front men” connected to the departing administration have also been frozen, though he provided no identifying information or supporting documentation for these claims.
In his recorded message, Magyar urged Hungary’s tax authority leadership to submit police reports regarding the questionable financial activities and called on banking institutions to strengthen their compliance operations while reporting suspicious transactions.
“Let me signal now, that anyone – be it an authority or a bank – not acting in line with the letter and the spirit of the law will have to face the Hungarian justice system,” he stated.
The 54-year-old Rogan has served as one of Orban’s most trusted advisers during his administration and holds a prominent position within the Fidesz Party.
In January 2025, the Biden administration imposed U.S. sanctions on Rogan over corruption allegations that Washington claimed benefited entities connected to the ruling party. Fidesz dismissed these accusations as politically driven at the time. President Donald Trump’s administration later removed the sanctions, reflecting Trump’s support for Orban.
