In a conversation published by Latvia-based investigative outlet The Insider on 7 April, Kovács said he occasionally worked as a courier for Mogilevich—whom he knew through associate Igor Kokol, a prominent figure in Ukrainian organized crime.

These jobs typically involved delivering small amounts of money, from $50,000 to $100,000. But in 1997, amid a chaotic election campaign in Budapest marked by bombings and high-level murders, much larger sums emerged.

Kovács claimed Mogilevich once gave him a large leather sports bag containing one million dollars. “All these large sums were intended for ‘Vitya’—that is what Mogilevich called Orbán,” Kovács told The Insider.

Kovács alleged that Mogilevich expected Orbán’s rise to power to grant him complete freedom of action, likely for unchecked criminal activities.

The bombings and killings in Budapest at the time outraged the public and boosted Orbán’s ratings. He and his Fidesz party won the 1998 election, making Orbán prime minister for the first time.

Once in office, however, Kovács said Orbán distanced himself from former associates and sponsors, forcing Mogilevich to leave Hungary. “Could the Russian authorities have used compromising material that Mogilevich holds on Orbán? I don’t have reliable information, but I think they certainly could,” Kovács added.

Kovács also accused Hungary’s Interior Minister Sándor Pintér — then Budapest’s Chief of Police — of ordering killings and bombings, including those of businessmen József Prisztás and József Boros.

He described Boros’s murder as “the biggest explosion” in central Budapest: “The explosion was horrific. Nothing remained of Boros. His lawyer was also killed, along with two passersby, and dozens of people were injured. It was in the very center of the city. The surrounding buildings looked as if they had been bombed from the air.”

Kovács linked these acts to Slovak hitman Jozef Rohác, whom he connected to Pintér. In March 2026, Rohác admitted carrying out several 1990s bombings, including one at Fidesz’s Budapest headquarters in 1998.

His lawyer said these were in Fidesz’s interest, though Rohác did not know if party politicians planned or knew about them, and no evidence was shown.

Kovács claimed he personally delivered money to Pintér several times to make cases disappear. He also alleged Pintér made millions from the “oil bleaching” business with Mogilevich.

Kovács stated that if Hungary’s government changes, he will “absolutely testify in court.” He currently cannot share more, as it would reach Pintér. “I very much want to look Sándor Pintér in the eyes,” he said.

Kovács added that Pintér orchestrated his seven-year prison sentence on a fabricated kidnapping charge.

The allegations remain unverified, with no public evidence presented to support them.

MTI Stock Photo

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