Images and videos from searches conducted by Hungarian authorities reveal how millions of euros in cash were discovered buried in forests and concealed inside buildings as part of a corruption investigation involving Hungary’s former Development Minister, Miklós Seszták.

The footage shows investigators digging with shovels in woodland areas and uncovering the hidden money, while other images reveal stacks of seized banknotes. The total amount recovered during the two-day operation was equivalent to €17.7 million.

Hungary cracks down on Orbán-era corruption: former cabinet minister buried millions in forests Investigators suspect former Minister of National Development Miklós Seszták of taking bribes in connection with the awarding of government contracts. Nearly $20 million has been seized in the case. The money was buried in wooded areas and hidden in agricultural buildings, warehouses, residential properties and a secret safe. The confiscated funds have been transferred to the Hungarian State Treasury. Earlier, Viktor Orbán’s younger brother was also arrested in Hungary.

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) November 14, 2026

The searches were carried out on Thursday and Friday at several locations by the National Asset Recovery and Protection Agency (NVVH), which was established by Hungary’s new government.

“During the searches, significant amounts of cash were discovered: buried in forests, hidden in agricultural buildings and warehouses, as well as in private homes, and stored in a valuable safe located in a remote area,” the agency said in a statement.

According to the NVVH, “The total amount of cash discovered during the two days of searches stands at 5,071,632,000 forints, €2,658,350 and $1,257,100.”

The investigation concerns Miklós Seszták, who served as Development Minister from 2014 to 2018 under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The former minister is accused of accepting bribes in a case involving the purchase of second-hand buses at inflated prices by Hungary’s state-owned transport company.

Seszták has been arrested and remains in custody, while two other former ministers and Viktor Orbán’s brother have also been arrested in connection with separate investigations.

Investigators found close to $20 million worth of cash stashed away in forests, barns and warehouses around Hungary, yielding a breakthrough in the widening probes into alleged corruption by allies of former Premier Viktor Orban https://t.co/XDii8R4ZoO

— Bloomberg (@business) November 13, 2026

Hungary’s current Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, who won the April elections and brought Orbán’s 16-year rule to an end, has pledged to investigate allegations of corruption and abuse of power during the previous administration.

Commenting on the seizure of the money, Magyar said the NVVH’s announcement “officially marks the end of the Fidesz-KDNP mafia!”, referring to the two parties that formed the former governing coalition.

Anti-corruption authorities in Hungary say they found around $18 million in hidden cash, buried in forests and stashed in buildings and warehouses during an investigation. The funds are reportedly tied to a former Orban minister, Miklos Sesztak. https://t.co/55FOaZYn4C

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) November 14, 2026

Orbán has not commented on the latest developments, although he has previously described investigations targeting people close to him as “political persecution aimed at imprisoning him”.