started · updated
Hungary files criminal report over 300 billion forint ventilator procurement
The Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has filed a criminal report following an internal audit into pandemic-era medical procurement. The investigation focuses on the purchase of approximately 17,000 ventilators and other medical supplies during March and April 2020, totaling roughly 300 billion forints (approximately 830 million euros).
Foreign Minister Anita Orbán stated that the audit uncovered evidence suggesting breach of trust causing particularly significant financial loss and other potential crimes. The investigation also examines the responsibility of the ministry’s previous leadership, which was headed by Péter Szijjártó during the pandemic.
Auditors noted that the documentation for these emergency procurements was initially incomplete. However, investigators were able to use digital forensic tools to recover approximately 88 gigabytes of data, including 130,000 files. The audit revealed significant price discrepancies; for instance, a price difference of approximately 37 million euros was identified across six suppliers, with a single contract involving Proconcept Kft. showing a 16 million euro discrepancy.
Furthermore, a large portion of the equipment appears to have been underutilized. Reports indicate that at least 12,000 ventilators remained unused in storage, incurring significant warehousing costs.
Entities
Anita Orban · Hungarian Prime Minister's Office · Hungary · Kommentár Alapítvány · Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade · National Investigation Bureau · Proconcept Kft. · Péter Szijjártó
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] The audit raised suspicions of breach of trust causing particularly significant financial loss and other crimes. kontroll.hu · www.forbes.hu · transtelex.ro · nepszava.hu · hvg.hu
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A single contract with Proconcept Kft. showed a price discrepancy of 16 million euros. transtelex.ro
- [● 2 SOURCES] A significant portion of the ventilators, at least 12,000 units, remained unused in storage. kontroll.hu · hvg.hu
- [● 5 SOURCES] Anita Orbán filed the first criminal report following an internal audit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. kontroll.hu · www.forbes.hu · transtelex.ro · nepszava.hu · hvg.hu
- [○ 1 SOURCE] An audit of six suppliers revealed a price discrepancy totaling approximately 37 million euros. transtelex.ro
- [● 5 SOURCES] The procurement of medical equipment in March and April 2020 totaled approximately 300 billion forints. kontroll.hu · www.forbes.hu · transtelex.ro · nepszava.hu · hvg.hu
- [● 6 SOURCES] The procurement included approximately 17,000 ventilators and other medical supplies. kontroll.hu · dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl · transtelex.ro · nepszava.hu · +1 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Investigators used IT tools to recover 88 gigabytes of data, comprising roughly 130,000 files, after documentation was found to be incomplete. kontroll.hu · www.forbes.hu · transtelex.ro · nepszava.hu · hvg.hu