Hungarian Cabinet Minister Viktor Orbán Added to US Treasury Department’s Sanctions List
The United States has made a controversial decision to place Hungarian Minister Antal Rogán on the official sanctions list of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury. This announcement was made by the US Ambassador to Hungary, David Pressman, during a press conference on Tuesday.
Pressman justified the decision by accusing Rogán of abusing his official position to influence the business sector. According to the Ambassador, Rogán is a central figure in a system of corruption that diverts funds from the public purse into private pockets. Pressman emphasized that this is not only detrimental to Hungarian institutions and democracy but also poses a threat to the interests and security of the US and its allies.
In response to questions about why Rogán specifically was targeted for sanctions, Pressman stated that it was due to his personal enrichment and alleged abuse of power for the benefit of individuals loyal to his political party. The Ambassador clarified that the decision was not taken lightly and was aimed at countering the identified process of corruption in Hungary.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó expressed his disagreement with the decision, calling it a “personal revenge” by the outgoing US administration and the Ambassador. He noted that the upcoming change in US leadership would hopefully result in a more positive relationship between the two countries.
Legal expert Zoltán Lomnici Jr. criticized the unauthorized disclosure of personal data related to the sanctions decision, stating that it violated Hungarian and international constitutional principles. He highlighted the importance of impartial decision-making based on objective evidence in such cases.
Political analyst Bryan E. Leib criticized Pressman for what he deemed a politically motivated and disgraceful decision that undermines US diplomacy’s credibility. Leib suggested that the sanctions were part of a broader agenda that goes beyond targeting the Hungarian government.
Overall, the decision to sanction Minister Antal Rogán has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the implications for Hungarian-American relations and diplomatic integrity. The situation highlights the complex dynamics at play between the two countries and the challenges of addressing corruption on an international scale.
