Áron Orbán, a businessman and the younger brother of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was reportedly detained on November 9 as Hungarian police carried out coordinated raids in Budapest and Pest County as part of a human-smuggling investigation linked to him.
His property in the residential district of Fótliget, part of the greater Budapest metropolitan area, was among those searched.
Authorities confirmed that several people were apprehended, although police have not publicly confirmed Orbán’s arrest, which was reported by Hungarian media.
The central allegation is that a company linked to Orbán enrolled Vietnamese citizens in a two-day lifeguard course at the University of Pécs, potentially helping them secure visas which allowed them to travel throughout Europe’s Schengen Area.
The investigation follows allegations that a business network connected to Áron Orbán arranged visa and residence permit applications for foreign workers seeking entry into Hungary.
A visa business built on political access?
A June 2025 investigation by independent Hungarian outlet Telex uncovered thousands of documents, including contracts, internal correspondence and recordings relating to applicants from several countries in Asia.
The outlet reported that Áron Orbán’s firearms company Multi Shoot helped the network by booking appointments for prospective workers at Hungarian diplomatic missions, further revealing today that a Vietnamese interpreter living in Budapest allegedly had knowledge of visa dealings and gave evidence to Hungary’s National Bureau of Investigation.
The interpreter reportedly had contact with several individuals involved, included two meetings with Áron Orbán himself, and was familiar with the roles allegedly played by Orbán and his partner.
Áron Orbán is also alleged to have sought assistance from a government official to accelerate visa applications.
Questions surrounding the business network first emerged after a leaked audio recording captured Áron Orbán discussing visa applications with Dávid Héjj, an official in his brother’s government.
The conversation suggested that Orbán and his associates were involved in arranging visas, some of which had been blocked by Hungarian authorities.
Telex later reported allegations that members of the business network falsified employment contracts to secure residence permits. One former associate claimed in a criminal complaint that some workers arriving under these arrangements never received the employment promised to them, while others travelled irregularly to other countries in the EU, made possible by Hungary’s membership of the Schengen Area.
Telex identified several business associates involved in the arrangements, raising questions about whether political connections were being used to influence immigration procedures.
They also obtained internal correspondence and audio recordings collected by a man who had filed a criminal complaint over the arrangements. The complainant later died unexpectedly, although the precise details and circumstances of his death have not been disclosed publicly.
The latest raids follow earlier investigations into suspected influence-peddling and visa-related irregularities.
Four suspects including two of Áron Orbán’s associates identified as G.B. and János M., nicknamed “Macsek”, were arrested after the April elections.
According to prosecutors, a businessman recruiting Nepalese workers paid €17,000 to intermediaries who claimed they could secure residence permits through influential political connections. The applications were rejected, and three suspects allegedly retained and shared the payment amongst themselves.
Telex reported that the case was initially investigated by the Central Investigating Chief Prosecutor’s Office before being transferred to the National Asset Recovery and Protection Office.
G.B. was released from pre-trial detention ahead of the November 9 operation, which has reportedly involved Áron Orbán more directly.
An awkward case for an anti-migration leader
Áron Orbán’s reported detention comes seven months after Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party lost power to Péter Magyar’s Tisza party, ending 16 years of government under the former prime minister.
Read more: Orbán loses landmark elections in Hungary
Magyar has pledged to investigate alleged corruption and abuses of power during Viktor Orbán’s administration. He has acknowledged reports of this investigation.
This case is particularly sensitive, given Viktor Orbán’s longstanding opposition to immigration, a central feature of his political policies.
Allegations involving his younger brother’s connections to questionable visa arrangements could therefore place further pressure on the former leader.
Telex also cited sources close to Áron Orbán who alleged that political considerations had influenced the pace of earlier investigations. If verified, these claims could raise further questions about whether individuals with greater political influence were involved in the visa arrangements.
Viktor Orbán has condemned the operation as politically motivated, accusing the new government of targeting his family in order to undermine him.
“I am the target, my brother is just a tool,” he said.
Featured image: Szabolcs Panyi via X
