A Hungarian court on Thursday decided to remand former Culture and Innovation Minister Balázs Hankó in custody. The ruling Fidesz MP was brought to the hearing in Kecskemét in handcuffs and escorted by police. Telex ↗
Hankó spent the preceding days in a cell at the police headquarters in Cegléd. The court was ruling on a motion by the prosecution, which requested his pre-trial detention as part of an investigation into suspected embezzlement. Investigative authorities suspect him of serious mismanagement of public funds as part of an organized group. Index.hu ↗
Hankó's questioning was significantly extended, lasting almost five hours. His defense lawyer stated that the former minister submitted a 25-page testimony, in which he thoroughly denied having committed any crime. The decision on the detention of his former state secretary Veronika Varga-Bajusz was postponed due to the time delay. Index.hu ↗
After leaving the courtroom, Hankó, according to witnesses and video footage, reacted loudly to the prosecution's conduct. He claimed that he had not been allowed to speak. He was subsequently taken away by officers from the National Tax and Customs Administration. Telex ↗
The court's decision represents a further phase of the investigation, which began after Hankó's parliamentary immunity was lifted. Police and the prosecution will continue investigating the suspicions, with further proceedings to be determined by the course of the case and the evidence gathered. HVG ↗
Court remands former Hungarian minister Hankó in custody
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