Hungary tax office chief confirms US entry ban

Hungary's tax office chief said on Wednesday (05/11/2014) she has been banned from entering the US over alleged corruption, becoming the first name to be made public in a row that has strained already poor bilateral relations.

In an interview in the Magyar Nemzet daily, the head of the NAV tax authority Ildiko Vida confirmed her inclusion and "several" colleagues on the blacklist of six government officials issued by Washington in October.

Rejecting the "wicked" accusations, Vida said she would launch civil and criminal suits for libel committed against her office and herself. She declined to identify the others banned.

"I have not been part of any corruption," Vida said. She also rejected opposition party calls to resign that she said would amount to "owning up" to the accusations.

The United States has declined to reveal the identities of the officials concerned or details about the corruption allegations. Hungarian media had widely reported that Vida was on the list.

The row has further soured relations between Washington, NATO and EU member Hungary, which have worsened since Prime Minister Viktor Orban took power in 2010.

In 2011, Orban rewrote the constitution and embarked on an avalanche of reforms that critics say have sent the country lurching towards authoritarianism. He has also sought improved relations with Russia.

In September US President Barack Obama criticised Hungary for harassing civil organisations, while the top US diplomat in Hungary, Andre Goodfriend, said last month that "negative trends" have "rapidly taken hold" in the country. - AFP