Balázs Bús loses diplomatic passport privileges amid corruption probe

Balázs Bús, a former deputy president of the National Cultural Fund (NKA) currently in pretrial detention, has had his diplomatic passport privileges revoked by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Bús is facing allegations of breach of trust in the NKA case and bribery in a corruption case involving Budapest districts.

Records show Bús held diplomatic passports on three separate occasions over nine years. His first eligibility was between 2010 and 2015 during his tenure as a Fidesz Member of Parliament. A second passport was issued in 2021 by then-Minister Miklós Kásler, justified by Bús’s role in the National Cultural Council and his participation in cross-border cultural programs.

A third diplomatic passport, valid until December 31, 2026, was issued in February 2023 following a request by Minister János Csák to facilitate travel related to Bús’s work at the National Cultural Support Management (NKTK). This issuance was authorized by Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó. Following a change in government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conducted a review and invalidated the document on June 17, 2024.