Hungary and Romania: When Anti-Corruption Becomes a Political Weapon

The regional organization of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ) has expressed its support for the prefect of Covasna (Kovászna) County, István Ráduly—as announced by the organization’s Standing Council from Szeklerland in a statement on Tuesday.

They assure the politician—who has been charged with abuse of office by the Romanian National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA)—of their support. They emphasize that he, too, is entitled to the presumption of innocence.

The regional organization notes that Ráduly, as mayor and later as prefect, “has been serving the county for years.” As mayor, he worked day in and day out to build the local community; as the county’s government commissioner in Szeklerland, he worked to ensure the region’s stability. His long and successful leadership career demonstrates

that he has always carried out his work responsibly and with the public interest in mind,”

the statement reads.

They added that they are confident the matter will be resolved as quickly as possible. Until then, they will stand by the official with “unwavering solidarity.”

The DNA has filed charges of abuse of office against Ráduly. He is accused of corruption in connection with the renovation of the prefecture (government agency) headquarters in Sf. Gheorghe (Sepsiszentgyörgy).

The case was filed with the Covasna County Court on July 31; the official remains free while he prepares his defense.

DNA prosecutors allege that between September and December 2021, Ráduly and his public procurement advisor entered into a direct contract with the company Electroconstructia ELCO GmbH for the renovation of the prefecture’s electrical grid, thereby unlawfully favoring the company. According to the DNA, the work did not constitute simple repairs, which is why a more rigorous legal procedure should have been followed, and a technical report, a new technical plan, and technical, economic documentation should have been prepared. The prosecutors also allege that the company determined the value of the work and the contract terms, and that the requirements of the scope of work were not met.

FactHungary Today has repeatedly reported on similar cases in recent years. The Romanian National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) takes selective action against public officials. The defendants are generally representatives of the opposition and, strikingly often, mayors and government officials associated with the RMDSZ. Although the Hungarian interest group was represented in the governing coalition for the longest time, it nevertheless remained a thorn in the side of nationalist parties, which are evidently able to assert their interests even within the supposedly impartial and independent DNA. While the Hungarian defendants were acquitted in the vast majority of cases after many years, the resulting material and moral damage to those affected was enormous. Parallels to the newly established National Asset Recovery and Asset Protection Office (NVVH) are impossible to overlook. The Hungarian authority, too, is endowed with powers that would actually be unthinkable in a state governed by the rule of law; yet it is not only tacitly tolerated by Brussels but even regarded as an instrument of the rule of law.

The Csillag Prison in Szeged. Photo: Public Domain

Péter Magyar goes even further, however. Not only is the separation of powers being abolished, but so is the fundamental right to defend oneself while remaining free, as demonstrated by the case of the first political prisoners in TISZA’s “functioning and humane Hungary.” Officials from the National Cultural Fund are being held captive for the purpose of intimidation at the notorious Csillag high-security prison in Szeged, where otherwise only the most serious criminals are incarcerated. The DNA and NVVH are prime examples of the perversion of a legitimate cause: political vendettas instead of fighting corruption, and judicial arbitrariness instead of protecting public funds.

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Via MTI; Featured photo: MTI/Szigetváry Zsolt