In Hungary, Viktor Orbán's brother placed in pre-trial detention for migrant smuggling

Hungarian justice on Wednesday ordered the provisional detention for one month of Aron Orbán, brother of former Hungarian nationalist leader Viktor Orbán, as part of an investigation into migrant smuggling. Another suspect was also placed in pre-trial detention, the Budapest court said in a statement.

Aron Orban and three others were arrested on Monday during a joint operation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NNI) and the National Asset Recovery and Protection Agency (NVVH), an anti-corruption body set up by the government of Peter Magyar, who came to power in May.

According to the NNI, they are suspected of human trafficking committed as part of a criminal organization. They are accused of having helped more than a hundred Vietnamese nationals obtain visas in 2024, by charging them a “recruitment commission”, which they allegedly pocketed. Viktor Orban reacted on Monday by accusing the government of seeking to eliminate its political opponents. “I’m the target, my brother is just a tool,” he wrote on Facebook, denouncing a “low blow.”

The court considered that the suspicions weighing on the four people arrested were sufficiently founded. One of them was placed under judicial supervision for four months, while the fourth was released. The prosecution had called for everyone to be placed in pre-trial detention, citing the risks of flight, concealment and obstruction of the investigation.

The judges considered the risk of flight for the three suspects targeted by coercive measures. Concerning Aron Orban and the other suspect placed in pre-trial detention, they also considered that they could obstruct the investigation, in particular by influencing future testimonies. Suspects can appeal the court's decision.