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The case involves the alleged misuse of more than HUF 17 bln in National Cultural Fund (NKA) grants.
The ruling confirms a decision issued earlier this month by the Kecskemét District Court ordering the detention of Hankó, a Fidesz MP, and Varga-Bajusz, who previously oversaw higher education, vocational and adult training, and youth affairs.
Criminal proceedings were launched on suspicion of large-scale misuse of funds, the court’s press office said in a statement on Tuesday.
The court found reasonable suspicion that the NKA’s Temporary College for Outstanding Cultural Programs (KKPIK) had been used to distribute funds in breach of the law and its founding resolution under the direction of Hankó, who chaired the fund.
According to the statement, applications submitted under individual funding calls announced from July 1, 2025, were approved without substantive assessment. The funds were allegedly diverted to cover campaign costs for the 2026 general election and applicants’ personal expenses.
The court said NKA assets were used in 1,079 instances between Sept. 3, 2025, and March 30, 2026, contrary to the purposes stipulated in the law governing the fund. Grant agreements issued in the KKPIK’s name allegedly caused a loss of more than HUF 17 bln to the central budget.
In rejecting the appeals, the regional court found the suspicion underpinning the proceedings well-founded and identified risks that the suspects could flee, go into hiding or tamper with evidence.
The ruling on the appeals is final.
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