Magyar to contact police over destroyed documents in ministry

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced his intention to file a police report after bags containing destroyed documents were discovered in the basement of the Ministry of Construction and Transport building.

Hungarian media report that boxes of campaign materials from former Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party, including leaflets and party flags, were also found nearby.

According to Magyar, the discovery may indicate the illegal use of state resources for political purposes as well as possible violations in party financing. He noted that, in addition to law enforcement agencies, the State Audit Office will also be involved in the investigation.

The head of government promised to keep the public informed about the progress of the investigation. The corresponding statement was published on his Facebook page.

Former ministry state secretary Tünde Juhász stated that the bags shown in the published footage did not contain official documents, Magyar Nemzet reports. According to her, the discovered party items were connected to the personal activities of former minister János Lázár, and the ministry itself was not involved in their production or financing.

Juhász also explained that the items remained in the basement due to limited time available to vacate the ministry building.

Earlier, in early May, Magyar announced the creation of a new state body to combat corruption that will investigate possible abuses of state property and corruption schemes over the past two decades.