A senior Hungarian government official close to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has been hit with U.S. sanctions for his alleged involvement in corruption in Hungary. Antal Rogán, the minister in charge of Orbán’s cabinet office, was sanctioned by the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control for corruption while in office.
Rogán, a key figure in Orbán’s government, oversees government communication campaigns that have been crucial in maintaining Orbán’s power since 2010. Known as the “propaganda minister,” Rogán is accused of using his position to broker favorable business deals with government-aligned individuals, leading to European Union penalties against Hungary for official corruption concerns.
A new political challenger to Orbán, Péter Magyar, has accused Rogán of facilitating corruption, launching smear campaigns, and initiating surveillance activities. Magyar released an audio recording implicating top officials, including Rogán, in a cover-up of corruption.
The U.S. Treasury emphasized its commitment to holding individuals like Rogán accountable for enriching themselves at the expense of their country and citizens. The sanctions were imposed under a Trump-era executive order implementing the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
The sanctions reflect U.S. concerns over Hungary’s drift away from democratic principles under Orbán’s leadership, as well as its growing ties with Russia and China. Orbán, a supporter of Donald Trump, has expressed optimism about improved U.S.-Hungarian relations under the incoming administration.
U.S. Ambassador to Hungary, David Pressman, has faced criticism from Orbán’s government for alleged interference in Hungary’s internal affairs. In a separate move, the Treasury Department previously sanctioned the International Investment Bank, which was accused of serving as a conduit for Russian espionage within the EU and NATO.
Following the sanctions, Hungary withdrew its stakes in the bank, signaling a shift in its relationship with entities linked to Russian interests.
