[6] Zsolt Hernádi started his professional career at Unicbank and subsequently held various positions at the Kereskedelmi és Hitelbank (K&H) between 1989 and 1994, becoming Deputy general manager in 1992.

[17][18] In 2014, the Croatian government initiated arbitration under UNCITRAL rules, seeking nullification of the First Amendment to the Shareholder's Agreement, claiming that MOL unlawfully obtained management rights.

[19][20][21] On December 20, 2019, the Zagreb County Court issued a first instance ruling in the Sander-Hernádi case, judging that the CEO of MOL was guilty of bribery and sentenced him to two years in prison.

The decision, which can be appealed by Croatia's chief prosecutor, could lead to a cancellation of the European arrest warrant for Hernádi and his removal from an Interpol wanted list.

Additionally, the court dismissed Croatia's allegations of corruption against MOL,[39] where the Hungarian company was accused of obtaining managerial control over INA through illicit means.

The ICSID decision is an important turning point in the prolonged legal fight between MOL and Croatia and a significant shift in their tumultuous history.

[43] In a related matter, opposition parties within the Croatian parliament were disappointment following the Swiss Federal Supreme Court's decision to reject Croatia's application for a review of the 2016 INA arbitration case.

[44] Ivo Sanader and Zsolt Tamas Hernádi were found guilty of bribery in a judgment that was upheld by the Croatian Supreme Court[45] in February 2022, at the time when a request for a review was made.

This outcome drew frustration among Croatian officials,[48] with MP Dalija Oreskovic (Centre) asserting that the situation highlighted the nation's vulnerability and the potential inadequacy of its representation.

The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) government's activities should be closely scrutinized, Grmoja said in addition to highlighting the necessity for specificity while discussing the demands made by the Hungarian corporation MOL.

In 2010, Hernádi was honored with the Hungarian Order of Merit – Commander's Cross with Star of the Republic of Hungary, as a recognition for his efforts in diversifying and improving the security of supply in Central and Eastern Europe as well as his contribution to the development of MOL.