US imposes sanctions on Hungarian prime minister's chief of staff for corruption allegations

The United States has imposed sanctions on Antal Rogán, the Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán’s chief of staff, marking the highest-ranking Hungarian official to be blacklisted since the fall of communism. 

The move, announced by the US Treasury Department on January 7, accuses Rogán of orchestrating a large-scale corruption network, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Rogán, a close ally of Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán, oversees state-owned media and parts of the intelligence services. The Treasury alleges that he "set up, operated and benefited from a statewide system of corruption."

“The United States will not hesitate to hold accountable individuals, like Rogán, who use the power of their office to illicitly enrich themselves and their cronies at the expense of their country and their fellow citizens,” the Treasury’s statement declared.

As a result of the designation, any US-based assets or businesses owned by Rogán will be blocked. Additionally, US entities, including financial institutions, are prohibited from conducting transactions with him.

Though the sanctions fall under the Global Magnitsky Act, which targets individuals accused of corruption and human rights violations, the Treasury noted that any reversal by a future administration requires a “rigorous review process that evaluates every request for removal individually on its merits.”

The announcement has come at a politically sensitive time for Hungary. Rogán’s designation follows repeated US concerns over Hungary’s controversial golden visa program and dual citizenship scheme, which allegedly lacks adequate security checks. The visa program has reportedly included nationals from countries such as Russia, raising alarms in Washington.

US Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman underscored the significance of the move, describing Rogán as the “primary architect, implementer and beneficiary of this system of corruption.” He added, “Rogán sits at the centre of a corrupt network in Hungary that is having a destructive effect on institutions of Hungarian democratic institutions. We thought it was important at this stage for us to respond to.”

Hungary’s foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, dismissed the sanctions as politically motivated, stating, “The personal revenge of the ambassador sent to Hungary by the failed American administration.”

The sanctions come weeks before Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president, a development Prime Minister Orbán may view with cautious optimism. Orbán has had strained relations with the outgoing Biden administration due to his close ties with Russia and China and accusations of undermining democratic standards.

Trump, however, has expressed admiration for Orbán, calling him a “strong leader” and a “role model for the rest of the world.”

The designation also comes at a precarious time for Orbán’s Fidesz party, which is trailing in polls. Péter Magyar, Orbán’s main political rival and a leader in popularity rankings, seized the opportunity to criticize the government.

“Better late than never,” Magyar said in response to the US sanctions. He called for snap elections, stating, “We have never seen a government as bad as this one, along with industrial-scale corruption and grave destruction in our country.”

Antal Rogán, a key figure in Orbán’s administration, has long been associated with controversial policies, including the golden visa program, which the US has consistently criticized. The latest sanctions highlight growing international scrutiny of Hungary’s leadership and its alleged erosion of democratic norms.

By Khagan Isayev