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2 clusters · 8 sources · 14 days · First seen 15 days ago · Last updated 1 day ago

Hungary Paks II nuclear project review and investigation

Overview

The Hungarian government has initiated a review of the Paks II nuclear power plant expansion project, a major agreement with the Russian state corporation Rosatom. Prime Minister Péter Magyar raised concerns regarding the project’s economic justification, technical design, and adherence to timelines, specifically noting the lack of a closed-loop cooling system and the significant funds already spent on a site that remains largely undeveloped.

While Rosatom has defended the project, claiming construction is proceeding according to schedule, the situation has escalated into a criminal investigation. Hungarian police, through the National Investigation Bureau’s Corruption and Economic Crime Department, are investigating a nearly 80 billion forint capital increase related to the project.

The probe focuses on a payment made by the Hungarian state to the Russian contractor Atomstroyexport. This transaction occurred after the Court of Justice of the European Union annulled the European Commission’s approval of state aid for the project due to concerns over EU procurement rules. Investigators are looking into suspicions of a breach of trust that may have caused significant financial loss.

Entities

Viktor Orbán · Alexey Likhachev · Rosatom · Hungary · Péter Szijjártó

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The National Investigation Bureau's Corruption and Economic Crime Department ordered an investigation on August 26. www.vg.hu · 24.hu · index.hu
[● 3 SOURCES] The investigation concerns the suspected crime of breach of trust causing particularly significant financial loss. www.vg.hu · 24.hu · index.hu
[● 3 SOURCES] The Hungarian state executed a capital increase of approximately 79.63 billion forints in Paks II. Atomerőmű Zrt. in late December. www.vg.hu · 24.hu · index.hu
[● 3 SOURCES] The funds were transferred to the Russian contractor, Atomstroyexport. www.vg.hu · 24.hu · index.hu
[● 3 SOURCES] The Court of Justice of the European Union previously annulled the European Commission's approval of state aid for the Paks II project. www.vg.hu · 24.hu · index.hu
[● 3 SOURCES] The investigation may involve high-ranking officials including Viktor Orbán, Péter Szijjártó, Márton Nagy, and Levente Magyar. www.vg.hu · 24.hu · index.hu

Timeline

1 day ago

[CRIME] 8 sources
Hungarian police investigate Paks II nuclear project funds
Hungarian authorities have launched an investigation into a suspected 80 billion forint breach of trust involving the Paks II nuclear project and payments to Russian contractor Atomstroyexport.
15 days ago

[BUSINESS] 5 sources
Hungary reviews Paks II nuclear project with Rosatom
Hungarian PM Péter Magyar is reviewing the Paks II nuclear expansion project with Rosatom, questioning its technology, costs, and adherence to the original 2024 operational timeline.

Sources

24.hu · g7.hu · hvg.hu · index.hu · mfor.hu · privatbankar.hu · szabadsag.ro · vg.hu