Head of military university arrested

Police detained János Szabó, the head of the National Defence University on Tuesday, on suspicion of abuse of office, following a months-long investigation.

There was a scuffle as Szabó resisted arrest, but be was wrestled to the ground and handcuffed.

Szabó allegedly told international delivery company DHL that its Hungarian operations would be in danger unless it signed a contract with a security company nominated by him. The rector was to have been paid from the DHL revenues. The company took the matter to the police.

Szabó reportedly told DHL that police were investigating the company, as some of its employees were transporting arms and drugs, but that he could help to protect the company.

Detectives from the National Bureau of Investigation (NNI) searched the offices of Szabó and others on Tuesday.

Szabó has run the university for three years, but his term ends in June.

The Defence Ministry has asked the NNI to provide information to the public about the case, in order to avoid unnecessary speculation.

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