Hungary arrests former cabinet chief in NKA cultural fund scandal

Hungarian prosecutors have taken a new suspect into custody in the National Cultural Fund (NKA) corruption investigation. The individual, identified as Konczos Nóra – a former cabinet chief for former culture minister Hankó Balázs and longtime civil servant – was detained for one month on suspicion of serious breach of trust and embezzlement related to the management of public funds between 2018 and 2020.

Investigators from the Bács‑Kiskun County Prosecutor’s Office also carried out a house search at the Family‑friendly Hungary Center, seizing servers and other evidence tied to the case. The court will decide whether to extend the detention. Earlier arrests in the scandal include former NKA deputy chairman Bús Balázs and several other officials, amid allegations of improper accounting of large sums, including 202 million for overseas trips.