Mária Gurzó arrested in Hungarian state fund misuse probe

Mária Gurzó, wife of singer Ádám Fásy, has been arrested in connection with a suspected misuse of state cultural funds. Authorities allege that companies linked to the Fásy family misappropriated over 80 million forints in grants from the National Cultural Fund (NKA) and other sources intended for a four-part documentary series about painter Róbert Corvus-Kora.

Investigators suspect that while funds were accounted for in April, the film had not been completed at the time of reporting, and that fictitious invoices were used to cover the discrepancy. The production reportedly received 82.55 million forints from the NKA and an additional 89.9 million forints from the former cultural minister’s budget.

The arrest has drawn significant public and professional scrutiny. Lawyer Gergely Bárándy criticized the use of handcuffs and a police escort for a white-collar crime, describing the procedure as “theatre” that was unnecessary. Meanwhile, the documentary’s director, Béla Jankai, expressed confusion, stating that the work was actually completed and is available to the public, despite the ongoing legal allegations.