Hankó Balázs placed on unpaid leave by Semmelweis University during detention
During his recent detention, former minister Hankó Balázs will not receive salary from Semmelweis University, which recorded his status as an unpaid absence.
Former health minister Hankó Balázs, who has held several positions at Semmelweis University—including chief pharmacist of its university pharmacy, deputy rector for strategy and development, and later a faculty member—was detained and taken to Kecskemét. In response to a request for comment, the university issued a one-sentence reply stating that its personnel system now records an unpaid, justified absence for the duration of his detention.
The detention relates to allegations that the National Cultural Fund, which he supervised as the last culture and innovation minister, diverted public funds in dozens of cases, causing a loss of 17.3 billion forints. Authorities interrogated him for close to five hours on Monday night, but he did not provide a confession. The university’s brief statement clarified that his academic status remains unchanged aside from the unpaid leave.
Why it matters
The case shows how political arrests can affect public-sector employment and raise questions about accountability for alleged fund misuse.
How this story developed
- Sep 12 Government releases child-protection report warning the system is on the brink of collapse
- Sep 12 The government unveiled the report during a press event at the Kossuth Lajos Gyermekotthon.
- Sep 22 Hungary's deputy chief prosecutor has asked the parliament to lift immunity for MPs Magyar Péter, Hankó Balázs and Seszták Miklós over distinct alleged offenses.
- Sep 26 The parliamentary speaker received the prosecutor’s request and forwarded it to the Immunity Committee.
- Sep 28 Parliament voted to strip immunity from the prime minister and two former ministers.
- Sep 29 Former ministers Balázs Hankó and Miklós Seszták were arrested after their immunity was lifted.
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