Orbán Áron arrested on suspicion of human trafficking, Magyar Péter responds
The Budapest Central District Court ordered the remand in custody of Viktor Orbán's brother for one month on 11 November. According to Magyar Péter, Fidesz sought to divert attention with a "low-grade soap opera".
Orbán Áron's arrest: court orders one month in custody
The investigating judge at the Budapest Central District Court ordered the remand in custody of Orbán Áron for one month on Wednesday, 11 November, on suspicion of human trafficking. Orbán Áron is the brother of former prime minister Viktor Orbán. According to Index's reporting, opposition politician Magyar Péter also responded to the case, saying that Fidesz "attempted to divert attention with a low-grade soap opera", while the court is holding in custody three former ministers of Viktor Orbán alongside his brother.
Orbán Áron and three associates were already taken into custody on Monday on well-founded suspicion of human trafficking committed as a business enterprise and in criminal conspiracy. The prosecutor's office requested the remand in custody of all those involved. The investigating judge also ordered the remand in custody of Orbán Áron's partner. G. B. was placed under criminal supervision and is not permitted to leave the country, whilst M. J. can defend himself on bail.
The Wednesday hearing began at ten o'clock in the morning. First, G. B., Orbán Áron's long-standing business partner, was brought into the building with two police officers. According to a 2024 Telex article, he recorded the audio recording in which Orbán Áron complained to Dávid Héjj, the Prime Minister's chief of staff, at the Prime Minister's Office about blocked visa applications. Orbán Áron's partner was also brought to court under police escort, and Orbán Áron himself arrived in handcuffs.
Orbán Áron's defence counsel, Éva Edit Schalkház, stated to Index before the hearing that her client had contacted the National Asset Recovery and Asset Protection Office weeks before his arrest, provided all his contact details, and indicated his willingness to appear if summoned.
The remand in custody is valid for one month; following that, the court may review it, extend it, or replace it with a milder coercive measure. The decision remains non-final until the Metropolitan Court of Appeal rules on the appeals in second instance.
Orbán Áron's role in visa matters became known in October 2024 following the leak of his conversation with Dávid Héjj. Telex reported the case in detail in 2025, and the prosecutor's office arrested two associates of Orbán Áron in a related matter in April this year. All defendants in the proceedings, including Orbán Áron, are entitled to the presumption of innocence.
Source: Index