In Hungary, law enforcement agencies have carried out a large-scale operation in connection with a case involving the illegal issuance of documents to foreign nationals, in which, according to local media reports, the younger brother of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán — Áron Orbán — is implicated. The current head of government, Péter Magyar, announced his arrest on 9 November. The investigation is looking into possible abuses during the processing of Hungarian and Schengen visas for Vietnamese citizens, in particular the use of political connections to expedite procedures. Viktor Orbán himself described the actions of the law enforcement agencies as politically motivated and accused the government of persecuting his family.
- Peter Magyar announced the arrest of the younger brother of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
- An investigation is underway in Hungary into possible irregularities in the processing of visas for foreign nationals.
- Arona Orban’s company has been linked to a scheme to obtain Schengen visas for Vietnamese nationals.
- Law enforcement officers carried out searches in Budapest and in towns and villages in the Pest County.
- Viktor Orbán described the investigation as a politically motivated persecution of his family.
Searches were carried out in Hungary in connection with a case involving the illegal issuance of visas
On the morning of 9 November, Hungary’s National Bureau of Investigation, in conjunction with the Asset Recovery and Protection Directorate, carried out investigative operations in Budapest and the Pest County. Law enforcement officials reported that several people had been detained and that searches had been conducted at the suspects’ homes.
According to Telex, security forces arrived at a property linked to the company Arona Orban. The publication received confirmation of the operation from sources close to him, but they were unable to establish whether the businessman himself had been detained.
Prime Minister Peter Magyar later reported in Facebook, according to press reports, the younger brother of the former head of government has been taken into custody on suspicion of involvement in the illegal smuggling of people.
How could Orbán’s brother have helped Vietnamese citizens to obtain visas?
The investigation concerns the activities of businesspeople who are believed to have used their connections with senior officials to secure residence and work permits for foreign nationals in Hungary.
According to Hungarian journalists, a company owned by Áron Orbán may have been helping Vietnamese citizens to obtain Schengen visas by enrolling them on short-term study courses at the University of Pécs. This relates, in particular, to a two-day first-aid course.
Telex had previously published information about an audio recording of a conversation between Áron Orbán and a representative of the government apparatus. The conversation discussed difficulties with visa applications and ways of speeding up the procedures.
As part of the related investigation, investigators are also looking into an allegation that 17,000 euros were received from a businessman in exchange for a promise to assist with the processing of residence permits. Two suspects had previously been arrested in connection with this case.
Viktor Orbán accused the government of political persecution
The former Prime Minister of Hungary has responded to reports of his brother’s arrest, describing the operation as an attempt at political reprisal.
«I am the target; my younger brother is merely a tool,» wrote Viktor Orbán on Facebook.
Peter Magyar, whose party, «Tisa», won the parliamentary elections in April 2026, promised, upon coming to power, to investigate possible corruption by the previous administration.
The scandal attracted further attention due to the long-standing anti-immigration policy Viktor Orban. During his time as Prime Minister, he opposed compulsory distribution of migrants between EU countries and maintained strict border controls. The investigation into his relative now concerns the possible illegal facilitation of foreigners’ entry into the Schengen Area.
