Recent revelations by Direkt36 have shed light on Hungary’s controversial surveillance practices targeting EU anti-fraud investigators. These operations, carried out under the leadership of Viktor Orbán’s government, have exposed deep rifts within Hungary’s intelligence community and raised questions about the legality of such actions.
Surveillance of EU Investigators
During János Lázár’s tenure as the overseer of Hungary’s Information Office (IH), the agency monitored the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) as it investigated corruption allegations involving Elios Zrt., a company previously owned by István Tiborcz, Orbán’s son-in-law. OLAF’s investigation, which began in 2015, scrutinised public lighting tenders financed with EU funds, uncovering numerous irregularities.
Hungarian intelligence officers reportedly wiretapped OLAF officials, followed their movements, and recorded private and official meetings. These operations extended to EU delegations visiting Hungary, highlighting a systematic approach to intelligence gathering against EU institutions.
Sources indicate that OLAF investigators were aware of the surveillance and occasionally engaged in actions to highlight their awareness, such as altering their movements to confuse their Hungarian trackers.
The 2018 Intelligence Raid
The situation escalated in 2018 when oversight of the IH shifted from Lázár to Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Shortly after the transition, a task force led by the Ministry of Interior raided the IH’s headquarters. The official explanation for the operation was an audit ordered by Szijjártó, but insiders revealed that the real objective was to uncover sensitive documents related to government-linked businesses, including those involving Orbán’s family.
The task force, comprising officials from various national security agencies, interrogated IH staff, accessed archives, and seized computers. Despite these efforts, investigators reportedly failed to retrieve key documents, as the IH had kept sensitive cases off official records. Instead, findings were summarised in “white papers”—informal reports intended for select political leaders.
Political Infighting and Orbán’s Centralisation of Intelligence
The raid on the IH exposed underlying tensions within Orbán’s government. János Lázár, who oversaw the IH for six years, had reportedly allocated significant resources to espionage against EU institutions. However, this surveillance reportedly occurred without the Prime Minister’s direct oversight, leading to suspicions within Orbán’s inner circle.
In the aftermath of the raid, Orbán personally criticised the IH’s performance and moved to centralise intelligence activities. He established the National Information Secretariat (NIÁT) within the Prime Minister’s Office, ensuring direct control over intelligence reporting. In 2022, civilian intelligence agencies were further consolidated under Antal Rogán, a close ally of Orbán, through the creation of a National Information Centre (NIK).
Implications for Hungary and the EU
The revelations underscore the extent to which Hungary’s intelligence apparatus has been used for political purposes, including monitoring EU institutions. OLAF ultimately recommended that Hungary repay €40 million in EU funds linked to Elios Zrt., but the government avoided penalties by covering the amount through its national budget.
Legal experts, including Transparency International Hungary, have argued that these practices likely constitute multiple violations, including unauthorised surveillance and document forgery. Despite this, no criminal investigations have been launched, and former IH leaders remain in diplomatic roles.
Broader Context
This is not the first time Hungary’s intelligence activities have drawn international scrutiny. In 2021, the Pegasus Project revealed that the Hungarian government used spyware to target journalists, lawyers, and opposition figures. These developments highlight ongoing concerns about the erosion of democratic norms in Hungary and its strained relationship with EU institutions.
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