Hungarian police raid property linked to Viktor Orbán's brother in migrant-smuggling investigation
Hungarian authorities conducted a police operation at a property linked to Áron Orbán, the younger brother of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, on November 9 as part of an investigation into suspected migrant smuggling, Hungarian investigative outlet Telex reported.
Officers from Hungary's Counter Terrorism Centre arrived at the property in Fótliget, near Budapest, according to the outlet.
Hungary's National Bureau of Investigation said investigators and officials from the National Asset Recovery and Protection Office had carried out coordinated operations in two ongoing criminal cases.
Several people were detained in Budapest and two municipalities in Pest County, while searches were conducted at properties associated with people under investigation.
Authorities confirmed that the operation involved a migrant-smuggling case but did not publicly identify all those detained in the initial statements cited by Telex.
Sources familiar with Áron Orbán's associates confirmed the operation to the outlet but could not establish whether he had personally been taken into custody.
A visa business under scrutiny
Telex has investigated Áron Orbán's business associates and their involvement in visa arrangements for foreign nationals since 2025.
The investigation followed a leaked recording in which Áron Orbán discussed visa applications with Dávid Héjj, an official associated with Viktor Orbán's government.
According to Telex, some applications had been blocked by Hungarian authorities, prompting disputes involving people who had paid for visa-related services.
The outlet reported that one complainant had submitted extensive correspondence and recordings to investigators before subsequently dying. Telex later obtained the material.
Hungarian authorities had already detained individuals connected to the investigation following the April 2026 elections, according to the outlet.
The latest operation brought investigators directly to a property associated with Áron Orbán.
Political fallout
The case could carry political significance because of Áron Orbán's family connection to Viktor Orbán, whose governments made opposition to irregular migration a central political message.
The former prime minister has described the investigation involving his brother as politically motivated, according to Ukrainian outlet Hromadske, saying he himself was the intended target.
The allegations remain under investigation, and the reported police operation does not establish criminal wrongdoing by Áron Orbán.