Fidesz MP resigns from state secretary post after allegations of graft

Following bribery allegations, Pál Völner has resigned as justice state secretary despite proclaiming innocence, Telex reported.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Prosecutor General had initiated the suspension of the immunity of the Fidesz lawmaker and justice secretary of state, working under Justice Minister Judit Varga.

Völner is accused of having received sums between €5,400 and €13,600 (HUF 2-5 million) in return for looking at specific cases put forward by the president of the Hungarian Court Bailiff’s Chamber who executes claims appearing in court decisions.

The case currently involves twelve suspects, eight bailiffs, and one deputy.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, bailiffs asked by Telex said they were surprised and said they did not exactly know who was targeted by the arrest and what for.

In a statement sent to local media, the politician denied having committed a crime but accepted “the political consequences of the case”, resigning from his post. Völner has been an MP since 2010.

The last time Völner became the centre of public focus was in connection with the Pegasus surveillance scandal when Varga told Telex that the state secretary was responsible for authorising secret surveillance, not her.

In response to the scandal, the opposition demanded Varga also resign over “the most serious corruption scandal of the Orbán government”.

(Vlagyiszlav Makszimov | EURACTIV.com with Telex)