Hungary launches criminal probe into Eximbank for alleged abuses

Hungarian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into Eximbank, the state's export-import bank, regarding alleged abuses and irregularities. The probe, initiated by the government led by Prime Minister Peter Magyar, targets decisions made during the previous administration. Hungarian police are investigating four distinct cases involving suspected abuse of power and mismanagement of funds.

One specific case under investigation involves a one billion euro loan granted to North Macedonia, which reportedly benefited from a 3.25% interest rate and a full state guarantee. Following an audit, the Ministry of Economy submitted the cases to police, requesting an analysis of potential legal violations in how these financings were approved and administered. Investigators have seized thousands of pages of documents from the Ministry of Interior to assist the inquiry.

This investigation is part of a broader anti-corruption effort by the Magyar government to recover assets allegedly illicitly obtained during the Viktor Orbán era. To facilitate this, the government is establishing the National Authority for Asset Recovery and Protection (NVVH), a highly independent super-institution designed to investigate and reclaim funds believed to have been diverted to oligarchs and political associates.