Gergely Őrsi denies corruption and bribery allegations

Gergely Őrsi, the mayor of Budapest’s II. District, has denied all allegations of corruption and bribery following his recent detention. The investigation involves claims that he accepted approximately 290 million HUF in bribes between 2021 and 2023 related to park maintenance and public procurement.

In an interview, Őrsi characterized the prosecution's case as being based solely on the testimony of a single individual, Z. Zsolt, who entered a plea bargain. Őrsi described certain details of the testimony as “surreal,” specifically addressing claims that large sums of cash were hidden behind toilet paper rolls in a closed hotel restroom. He also denied owning a luxury yacht or a villa in Pomáz, stating that a property mentioned by investigators has been in his family since the 1960s.

The mayor noted that the prosecution's investigation into the district's public procurement processes found no irregularities. Őrsi stated that his assets and financial declarations are accurate, noting that the seizure of his property and the freezing of his bank accounts have caused significant financial hardship, including difficulties in servicing mortgages.