The United States has imposed economic sanctions on Antal Rogan, the head of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s cabinet, citing his involvement in corruption. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Rogan, 52, who controls Hungary’s intelligence and communication services, is accused of organizing corruption schemes to control strategic sectors of the Hungarian economy and funnel revenues into his own pocket and that of political allies.
The U.S. Treasury Department highlighted that corruption in Hungary’s public sector has worsened over the past decade. The U.S. State Department added that Rogan’s activities symbolize a climate of impunity in Hungary, where oligarchs and undemocratic actors have taken control of key elements of the state.
Ambassador David Pressman of the United States noted that the decision to impose sanctions was not made lightly, emphasizing that it is rare to sanction someone holding office in an allied country. However, he stated that the systemic corruption embodied by Rogan is impacting decision-making in Hungary, particularly on matters directly affecting U.S. national security.
Hungary, a country of 9.6 million, ranks last among the 27 European Union countries in Transparency International’s corruption index, which led to the freezing of billions of euros in EU funds due to suspected embezzlement.
Prime Minister Orbán, who has strained relations with the outgoing U.S. administration, has openly expressed his support for President Donald Trump and maintained close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In response to the sanctions, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó called it “a personal vendetta from the U.S. ambassador and the outgoing administration in disgrace,” adding that Hungary looks forward to a new U.S. leadership that treats them as friends rather than adversaries.
