Volánbusz investigation: Eight summoned in 10 billion forint corruption probe

The National Investigation Bureau (NNI) has summoned eight individuals for questioning in a long-running investigation involving Volánbusz and related state entities. The probe focuses on allegations of breach of trust and money laundering occurring primarily between 2015 and 2018.

Investigators suspect that the state suffered damages totaling approximately 10 billion forints. The alleged misconduct includes the significantly overpriced purchase of 608 used buses and the inflated acquisition of a Volán company headquarters in Kecskemét, which reportedly caused at least 550 million forints in losses.

Among those summoned are Norbert Szivek, the former CEO of Magyar Nemzeti Vagyonkezelő Zrt., and billionaire real estate developer Dániel Jellinek. Authorities believe funds from these inflated transactions were funneled through intermediary companies and sham loan agreements to finance private real estate projects in Budapest and other regions, as well as to purchase luxury vehicles and large sums of cash.