The Hungarian government has formally accused investigative journalist Szabolcs Pani of espionage, alleging that he transmitted sensitive information to a foreign entity. Pani has denied these allegations, asserting that his work focused on investigating connections between Hungarian officials and Russia.
During a press briefing on March 26, Gergely Gulyas, head of the Prime Minister’s Office, stated that sufficient publicly available information warranted legal action, prompting the Minister of Justice to file a criminal complaint.
Pani refuted the charges, claiming that his investigative efforts were solely directed at the interactions of Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto with Russian representatives.
“This type of accusation is more typical of Putin’s Russia, Belarus, and similar regimes,” Pani stated.
The allegations come amidst reports suggesting that Budapest may have shared confidential EU information with Moscow, as well as ongoing contacts between Szijjarto and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Additionally, the briefing included claims about the alleged exposure of two IT specialists associated with the opposition party Tisza, who the government accuses of being Ukrainian spies. Authorities allege that these individuals were trained abroad, had connections with the Ukrainian embassy, and attempted to acquire surveillance equipment.
The timing of these accusations coincides with the upcoming parliamentary elections in Hungary, where the ruling Fidesz party, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, is reportedly lagging in polls. The elections are scheduled for April 12, 2026.
The Hungarian government has charged journalist Szabolcs Pani with espionage, claiming he leaked sensitive information. Pani denies the accusations, stating his work was focused on government ties to Russia, amid rising political tensions ahead of upcoming elections.