Arrest of Áron Orbán for unlawful human trafficking in Budapest
The brother of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was detained as part of an investigation into a network involved in unlawful acquisition of visas. Péter Magyar publicised the news citing journalistic sources.
Arrest of Áron Orbán: Magyar's anti-corruption drive hits predecessor's family
According to To Vima, Áron Orbán, brother of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, was detained in Budapest as part of a criminal investigation into unlawful human trafficking. The case concerns a network that allegedly promised foreign nationals the securing of entry visas and work residence permits for Hungary in exchange for payment.
His detention was publicised by new Prime Minister Péter Magyar, citing journalistic information. This move provoked an angry response from Viktor Orbán, who speaks of political revenge and claims that his brother is being used as a means to harm him.
Coordinated operations by two agencies
Hungarian police announced on Monday, 9 November, that the National Investigation Service (NNI) and the National Asset Recovery and Protection Service (NVVH) had conducted coordinated operations as part of two separate criminal investigations. Arrests were made and searches carried out at residences in Budapest and in two areas of Pest County, with the authorities not publicising the names of those involved.
The Hungarian outlet Telex reported that on the morning of the same day, men from the Counter-Terrorism Centre (TEK) appeared at a property in the Fotlíget area, which is connected to a company of Áron Orbán's. Ánna Úngger, head of the NVVH, neither confirmed nor denied the information, but announced that the service had undertaken new action regarding a case involving the former prime minister's brother and indicated that more detailed information would follow.
Visas, seminars and political connections
At the centre of the investigation lies the activity of persons who allegedly promised foreign nationals the securing of entry visas and work residence permits for Hungary. Those interested paid sums of money, whilst those involved are alleged to have exploited connections with political figures and state officials.
Telex had already revealed from 2025 that Áron Orbán and business associates of his had been active in cases involving foreign entry visas. The outlet had publicised an audio recording of a conversation with Dávid Hei, an associate of the prime minister's office and member of Viktor Orbán's inner circle. The conversation suggested that the former prime minister's brother and his associates were interested in promoting visa applications, some of which had been rejected by the relevant authorities.
According to subsequent reports, companies connected to Áron Orbán, including Multi Shoot, are alleged to have undertaken a role in settling the related cases. There have also been reports that Vietnamese nationals were enrolled in a two-day first-aid seminar at the University of Pécs — a procedure allegedly facilitating the acquisition of a Hungarian, and by extension Schengen, visa. This information forms part of journalistic revelations being examined by the authorities and does not in itself constitute evidence of criminal liability.
Arrests of associates and testimony of interpreter
According to Telex, following the April elections, two persons allegedly cooperating with Áron Orbán had already been arrested: a man with the initials G.B. and János M., known by the nickname "Matcsek". G.B. was recently released after the case was transferred to the NVVH.
A significant element of the investigation is alleged to be the testimony of a Vietnamese interpreter residing in Budapest who had knowledge of visa-issuance procedures. According to Telex, the man had contacts with persons connected to the case and had met with Áron Orbán himself twice, accompanying him also on a professional meeting in Veszprém.
The case had initially reached the Central Investigation Prosecution. One of the businessmen involved in the visa-issuance transactions alleged that agreements had not been fulfilled and requested his money back, producing internal correspondence and audio files. The particular man died later, whilst the material he had gathered came into the possession of Telex.
Operation "Clean Fire" and the question of bigger names
The case forms part of Péter Magyar's broader anti-corruption campaign. In June, the new prime minister announced the launch of Operation "Clean Fire", with the aim of investigating corruption cases and addressing what he describes as a system of collusion that had been entrenched during the Orbán government. Within this framework, the NVVH was established, with a remit to recover assets and pursue related violations.
What is now being examined is whether the activities of Áron Orbán's associates constituted an organised system for circumventing visa-issuance procedures and, crucially, whether behind it lay persons with greater influence and access to the state apparatus. Telex itself has pointed out that the question remains open as to whether the investigation will reach more powerful political or business figures operating in the same sphere.
Source: To Vima