A member of the European Parliament, Daniel Freund, has filed a police complaint against Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, alleging an attempt to install spyware on his devices. According to Freund, he was targeted by hackers in 2024, and he believes Hungary is the only plausible actor in this scenario. The German lawmaker, a frequent critic of Hungary’s conservative government, claimed that someone posing as a Ukrainian student sent an email containing spyware to his parliamentary address in May 2024.
The complaint, filed by Freund and the German nonprofit Society for Civil Rights, requests an investigation against Orban and an unidentified person. The EU Parliament’s IT experts suspect that the Hungarian government could be behind the alleged eavesdropping. Freund has been an outspoken critic of Orban’s government, accusing it of eroding democracy, cracking down on domestic opposition, and engaging in corruption.
The allegations have sparked tension between Freund and the Hungarian government, with government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs previously clashing with the lawmaker on social media. Orban has also been critical of the European Union, accusing its bureaucrats of warmongering and attempting to undermine Hungary’s sovereignty.
The complaint has been filed with the prosecutor’s office in Krefeld, as well as cybercrime centers in Cologne and Dusseldorf. If confirmed, the alleged spyware installation would be a significant breach of the European Parliament’s security and an outrageous attack on its members. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the European Union and Hungary’s conservative government, which has been at odds with the EU over various issues, including democracy, corruption, and migration.
The investigation into the alleged spyware installation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what consequences it may have for Orban and the Hungarian government. The incident has significant implications for the European Parliament and its members, who expect a certain level of security and protection from cyber threats. As the investigation unfolds, it will be important to monitor the developments and any potential fallout for the parties involved.