Hungary arrests former Budapest mayor, ex‑MP and others in >2 billion‑forint bribery case

A Hungarian court ordered the detention of several high‑profile local politicians and business leaders over a bribery scheme involving more than two billion forints. Those arrested include Órsi Gergely, former mayor of Budapest’s II District; Láng Zsolt, former mayor of the same district; Molnár Zsolt, a former MSZP member of parliament; Puskás Péter, a local Fidesz leader; two former Momentum politicians; and two company executives.

Prosecutors say a contractor that performed park‑maintenance work for multiple municipalities paid regular kick‑backs between 2011 and 2024 to secure and retain municipal contracts. The payments crossed party lines, with both governing and opposition officials receiving money. House searches seized large amounts of cash and valuable assets, and a total of 32 people are now under investigation. The arrested individuals have filed appeals against the court’s decision. The case is described as one of the largest municipal corruption investigations in recent years in Hungary.