Hungarian Government Launches Treason Investigation Into Former Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó
The Hungarian government has initiated a formal investigation into former Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó on suspicions of high treason, according to an announcement by Prime Minister Péter Magyar. The inquiry focuses on allegations that Szijjártó maintained improper contacts with the Russian Federation during his tenure.
Prime Minister Magyar, speaking at a press conference in Budapest, stated that the investigation involves a significant volume of classified diplomatic materials and secret documents originating from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other state agencies. Due to the sensitive nature of these files, officials have declined to provide specific details at this stage, noting that the government is withholding further comment to avoid compromising the integrity of the ongoing review.
Allegations of Espionage and Strategic Betrayal
The investigation follows a joint journalistic exposé published by The Insider, Frontstory, VSquare, Delfi Estonia, and ICJK. The investigation alleged that under the leadership of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the Hungarian government systematically defended the interests of the Kremlin within the European Union.
According to the report, evidence includes recorded phone conversations and transcripts between Szijjártó and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as well as other senior Russian officials. The investigative consortium claims these recordings demonstrate that Szijjártó provided Moscow with direct access to strategic information, including discussions regarding Ukraine and internal protocols concerning the Western coalition’s efforts to exert pressure on Russia. In one instance, a transcript reportedly shows Szijjártó telling Lavrov, I am at your disposal.
Szijjártó, who served as foreign minister from 2014 until the end of the Orbán administration, has previously dismissed such accusations as foreign interference
in Hungary’s electoral process. He has not denied the occurrence of the recorded conversations.
International Reaction and EU Concerns
The revelations have sparked intense criticism from European partners. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot publicly labeled the conduct as a betrayal of solidarity
required between EU member states. Barrot stated that the disclosures cast a shadow of doubt over the integrity of deliberations in Brussels, warning that such actions risk transforming EU members into “vassals” or toys of empires.
The European Commission has signaled that the matter will be elevated to the highest levels of EU leadership. A spokesperson for the Commission confirmed that President Ursula von der Leyen intends to raise the issue with European leaders, noting that the possibility of an EU government coordinating with Russia against the interests and security of the bloc is deeply disturbing.
The Commission has demanded an urgent explanation from the Hungarian government.
Transition to Private Sector Amid Political Turmoil
The investigation coincides with a significant career shift for the former minister. Szijjártó recently announced via Facebook that he is resigning his seat in the national parliament to accept a director-level position at the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD. In this new capacity, he is expected to oversee international relations and market expansion.
BYD Hungary has clarified that Szijjártó will not hold a role in the company’s local Hungarian management. Prime Minister Magyar responded sharply to the move on social media, stating that the only change is that Szijjártó will now be paid by his actual employer
rather than by the Hungarian people for the same work.
The connection to BYD is also subject to broader scrutiny. The company’s plant in the Szeged region has been the focus of an ongoing European Union investigation since 2025 regarding potential illegal foreign state aid. Szijjártó was a central figure in the Opening to the East
doctrine, which sought to deepen economic ties with China and Russia. Over recent years, the Orbán government attracted approximately one-quarter of all Chinese investment in Europe through tax incentives and infrastructure projects, facilitating the relocation of European headquarters for several Chinese firms, including Huawei and BYD, to Hungary.
As the government inquiry proceeds, Prime Minister Magyar has asserted that all publicly releasable information will be presented as soon as initial results become available. In the lead-up to the upcoming parliamentary elections, the political stakes remain high, with Magyar having previously suggested that such acts of alleged treason warrant life imprisonment.
Worth a look