Former Szeged city council member and three-time kayak world champion, Márton Joób, has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison by a court of first instance. The conviction stems from his leading role in a 271 million forint (approximately €710,000) budget fraud case. Despite the sentence, Joób will remain free pending a final ruling on his appeal. The court found him to be a key figure in the fraudulent scheme, though details of the fraud itself remain limited in available reports. This case marks a significant fall from grace for the celebrated athlete and politician. The sentencing follows a lengthy legal process and public scrutiny surrounding the allegations. Joób maintains his innocence and intends to challenge the verdict.