Tax authority raids Budapest's National Film Institute over Petőfi film funding probe
Hungary's tax office conducted a search and seizure at the National Film Institute's headquarters and film site as part of a criminal investigation into alleged budget fraud linked to the Petőfi movie.
On Tuesday, the Central Hungary Criminal Directorate of the tax and customs administration executed a search, seizure and on-site inspection at the National Film Institute's Budapest headquarters and at its film-set location. The measures were ordered within an ongoing criminal proceeding that alleges the institute committed budget-fraud offences related to the Petőfi film "Most vagy soha!". The institute issued a statement confirming full cooperation with the authorities during the operation.
The tax office had initiated the case at the end of September, focusing on how the multi-billion-forint state funding and additional government-approved foreign support were utilized. Producer Rákay Philip, who was named in the investigation, said he learned of the case through the media and denied any personal responsibility for the alleged misuse of public funds.
Why it matters
The raid highlights scrutiny of public money spent on cultural projects and could affect future state funding for the film industry.
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