Brother of former Hungarian PM Viktor Orban arrested for human trafficking

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 10 Nov, 08:32 · Archive

Aron Orban, brother of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has been detained on suspicion of human trafficking.

Aron Orban, brother of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of human trafficking. The detention was announced by current Prime Minister Péter Magyar on Facebook. Police carried out raids in Budapest and surrounding Pest County on Monday, detaining four people in connection with the investigation and searching homes of those under investigation.

According to The Guardian, the four detained are suspected of helping Vietnamese citizens reach western Europe for several months in 2024. Authorities allege the perpetrators charged visa applicants a recruitment fee at Hungary's foreign missions in Vietnam, which they then shared. Police said those held are suspected of 'human smuggling committed as part of a criminal conspiracy for the purpose of financial gain'.

Former prime minister Viktor Orban rejected the charges against his brother as political persecution. Writing on Facebook, he called the detention a 'dirty game' aimed at eliminating political opponents. 'I am the target; my brother is merely a tool,' he wrote. On X he elaborated: 'I am the real target. My younger brother is simply being used to get to me,' and accused the government of using the arrest to 'divert attention' from other issues.

Like other members of the Orban family, Aron Orban built several successful businesses during his brother's 16-year rule. Last year, investigative journalists linked his companies to an alleged visa facilitation scheme offering preferential access to Hungarian work visas for foreigners. The Guardian reported that three ex-ministers from Orban's government are already in custody.

Magyar's government established the National Asset Protection and Recovery Office to investigate allegations of corruption during Orban's 16-year rule, which the former prime minister has denied. Magyar won a landslide election victory in April after promising to investigate Orban's alleged corruption and abuse of power.

How it is being reported

• Viktor Orban’s brother detained in people-smuggling investigation, Hungarian PM saysAnti-corruption body was set up by PM to investigate graft claims from Orbán’s 16-year rule Hungary has detained the brother of Viktor Orbán during an investigation of a people-smuggling case, the Hungarian prime minister, Péter Magyar, has said. Magyar’s comments came after the Hungarian anti-graft body the National Asset Protection and Recovery Office said in a statement it and police had detained four people and searched homes in Budapest and Pest county. Continue reading...The Guardian · 10 Nov, 08:18
• Hungarian police reportedly detain brother of ex-PM Viktor OrbanAron Orban reportedly detained as Hungarian authorities raid properties linked to his business associates.Al Jazeera · 9 Nov, 22:13
• Brother of former Hungarian PM Viktor Orban is arrested for human traffickingFormer premier Orban called the detention a 'dirty game', accusing the government of trying to eliminate its political opponents.Daily Mail · 9 Nov, 14:11

In this story: Viktor Orban · Aron Orban · Péter Magyar · Hungary · Budapest · Pest County · Vietnam

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