Hungary may have had spies in the European Commission for years – according to a joint investigation conducted by the Belgian “De Tijd”, the German “Der Spiegel”, the Austrian “Der Standard”, the German team of investigative journalists Paper Trail Media and the Hungarian organization Direkt36. The procedure allegedly started 10 years ago, when tensions between Orbán's government and the European Commission intensified. According to journalists, this “reflects the degree of unfriendly relations with the EU.”
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Hungarian spies in the European Commission. “Up to six people at once”
The media reported on the case already in 2023, but are only now describing the first evidence. The spies were officially supposed to deal with financial and economic matters, but in fact they infiltrated an EU institution. Their actions were said to be very aggressive and similar to the methods used in Russia and China. Some officials were allegedly forced to sign documents on secret cooperation with the Hungarian intelligence services.
The agent, who was under diplomatic cover at the permanent representation of Hungary in Brussels, allegedly offered money to the EC representative, but the latter refused. Other EU staff also reported recruitment attempts. “He was interested not only in European Commission affairs, but also in all kinds of gossip,” said a senior Brussels official who rejected an offer to cooperate with the Hungarian spy. When his work did not bring results, he was to be seconded and received the rank of lieutenant colonel.
“10 years ago, Hungary started sending [do Brukseli] employees of the Hungarian intelligence service Informacios Hivatal. Up to six people at once”
– describes “De Tijd”.
These were seconded intelligence officers assisted by secret workers. “They work in even greater secrecy and are not even officially employed by the Hungarian intelligence service, which means a 'clean' CV,” reports a Belgian newspaper.
