The media reported on the freezing of assets of a media magnate close to Orban in Hungary.

Hungary has frozen the assets of media mogul Gyula Balasi, whose companies have been developing election campaigns for former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for more than 10 years. This was reported on May 6 by the Reuters news agency, citing sources.

"In the period 2019-2021 alone, Balasha's companies — Lounge Design, New Land Media and Media Dynamics — won a total of $960.38 million in government contracts, mainly from the National Communications Office, which was responsible for Orban's campaigns and played a key role in winning the last election," the publication says.

It is noted that the investigation is being conducted on suspicion of embezzlement and money laundering, the reason being information from the special forces of the NAV tax service. As part of the case, funds were seized and accounts were frozen.

It is clarified that Balashi himself denies violations and states that he is ready to transfer his companies to the state, since he "has nothing to hide."

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The Guardian newspaper reported on April 27 that Orban's associates allegedly began withdrawing capital from the country after the defeat of his Fidesz party in the parliamentary elections. Some of the funds are sent to the countries of the Middle East — Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, and the other part — to Australia and Singapore.