The Hungarian government has filed a criminal complaint regarding Orbán's communication costs

Hungary's government has filed criminal charges against former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán over alleged misuse of public funds for communication services on social media platforms. The move marks one of the most direct actions taken by the current administration led by Prime Minister Péter Mács since the April elections, targeting Orbán’s inner circle following the change in power. The government announced that it had initiated legal proceedings after reviewing contracts signed under the previous administration. According to the official statement, the charges stem from suspected mismanagement of public funds and abuse of position, with the case being brought against an unnamed individual. The French news agency AFP reported that the Hungarian government cited these allegations in its formal declaration. Under Orbán’s leadership, his close associate and head of government communications, Antal Rogan, signed a contract with the company Triton Communications in 2022. The firm is owned by Fanny Kaminsky, who previously served as a communications advisor to Orbán. Triton was responsible for producing photographs, video footage, and reports on monitoring social media activity. According to the government’s statement, Triton received approximately 4.23 billion forints, roughly 11 million euros, in public funds over a period of 44 months. The value of the contract increased fourfold despite minimal changes in the required services, which were reportedly priced at least three times higher than international market rates. Kaminsky denied the allegations in a Facebook post, stating that Triton Communications fulfilled all obligations outlined in the contract and could justify the work performed on an item-by-item basis. She emphasized that the company delivered the services as agreed upon. Since assuming office following his victory in the April elections, Mács has launched several initiatives aimed at reviewing the management of state affairs during Orbán’s tenure. His government has accused Orbán’s administration of corruption and has introduced measures to address alleged illegal transactions and financial misconduct. To tackle these issues, the new government established an office tasked with recovering and protecting public assets. This body aims to identify and reclaim public property believed to have been transferred into private hands through corrupt practices and unlawful transactions under the previous administration. The legal action against Orbán’s associates comes amid broader efforts by the current government to scrutinize the financial dealings of the former administration. These investigations are part of a larger campaign to hold individuals accountable for alleged misuse of public resources and to restore transparency in governance. The government has indicated that further steps will be taken to ensure accountability and to recover any improperly allocated public funds. Legal proceedings are ongoing, and additional information may emerge as the investigation progresses. The case highlights the tensions between the current administration and the former government, reflecting deeper political divisions within Hungary. As the legal process unfolds, more details regarding the nature of the alleged misconduct and the potential consequences for those involved are expected to surface.