Viktor Orban accused of putting son through Sandhurst at Hungarian taxpayer s expense
Hungarian government insists that Gaspar Orban got no special treatment or scholarship to attend British military training college
19 January 2021 • 1:31pm
Viktor Orban, who has faced criticism by his EU allies for his illiberal policies, faces parliamentary elections next year.
Credit: AFP
Opposition leaders have accused Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban of putting his son through training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst at the expense of the taxpayer.
Gaspar Orban, the son of Hungary s authoritarian leader, graduated in December after attending the nine-month course, which local media said cost about £93,000.
Together with two other Hungarian officers, Gáspár Orbán, the son of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has completed a nine-month course at the British Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst on a Hungarian state scholarship, news outlet Telex reports. The course can cost up to £93,000, more than €100,000 (HUF 37,8 million) per cadet.
Gáspár Orbán commenced his studies at the British elite military Academy barely two months after being sworn in as a member of the Hungarian Armed Forces. He was one of only three Hungarian soldiers to get a chance that year to complete the 9-month course with a scholarship from the Ministry of Defense, and he graduated on December 11, 2020. (Due to the epidemic, all students of the institution had to interrupt their studies, which is why he only graduated in December).