Hungary: Viktor Orbán's brother arrested on human trafficking charges
Aron Orbán, brother of the former Prime Minister, was arrested by Hungarian authorities on suspicion of human trafficking and abuse of office. The charges relate to illegal visa dealings for Vietnamese migrant workers.
Arrest of Orbán's brother on serious charges
According to Süddeutsche Zeitung, Hungarian authorities have arrested Aron Orbán, the brother of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who was removed from office in April. The new Prime Minister Peter Magyar confirmed the arrest late in the evening. Aron Orbán is accused of abuse of influence and incitement to human trafficking. Police requested remand in custody for four suspects.
Magyar informed parliament the same day that the case concerned Aron Orbán. "The brother of the former Prime Minister is – possibly at this very moment – being questioned by authorities on suspicion of human trafficking," he said. Hungarian media confirmed that Aron Orbán was among those arrested whom police brought in for questioning.
According to investigators, the younger Orbán brother is said to have obtained visas for Vietnamese migrant workers through misrepresentation and by exploiting his political influence. Employment agencies that placed these workers are said to have granted him advantages in return. Many of the Vietnamese, who paid thousands of euros for the visas, subsequently used their Hungarian Schengen visas to travel to other EU countries.
The anti-corruption authority NVHH and police are investigating jointly. A news portal controlled by Peter Magyar previously reported on arrests and house searches in connection with the case.
Viktor Orbán confirmed the authorities' action against his brother on Facebook. "I am the target, my younger brother is merely the means," he wrote. He described the proceedings as "dirty political games" with the aim of "liquidating the political opponent" and establishing one-party rule. The alleged visa dealings of Aron Orbán were the subject of investigative reports by independent media, but were considered a taboo subject for authorities controlled by Orbán prior to the change of government in May.
Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung