Spy scandal in Brussels: How the Orbán government’s secret network was exposed
Hungarian intelligence officers linked to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government spent years trying to gather information from inside European Union institutions, according to an investigation published by Telex and jointly carried out by Direkt36, Germany’s Paper Trail Media, and Belgium’s De Tijd. Several diplomats at Hungary’s Permanent Representation in Brussels were in fact covert agents of the Information Office (IH), whose main aim was to obtain details on the EU’s decision-making processes and matters affecting the Hungarian government. The covert operation was uncovered in 2017, leading to serious international repercussions.
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Intelligence officers in diplomatic cover
The investigation found that during the 2010s, particularly between 2012 and 2018, several IH officers operated in Brussels under diplomatic cover. The network’s key player, codenamed V., was the leading intelligence officer at the Permanent Representation, officially working there as a diplomat. He claimed his goal was to “build a new Hungarian elite in Brussels” composed of young professionals who could later rise to influential positions within the EU. But V.’s work went beyond symbolic ambitions: according to the report, he made concrete attempts to recruit sources, including a Hungarian EU official working at the European Commission. Instead of offering direct financial incentives, he proposed support for a non-governmental organisation to win them over. The official rejected the offer, but after these meetings, suspicions surrounding V. grew.
Collapse of the network
In 2017, V. was caught, compromising Hungary’s entire intelligence residency in Brussels. Sources claim that the IH had to rebuild its network from scratch. The downfall was attributed to V. and his colleagues ignoring basic security protocols, recruiting too openly, and even communicating via SMS. One source remarked: “He acted recklessly, which drew the EU’s attention.” As a result, Hungarian intelligence lost its position of trust in Brussels for years.
Targeting Hungarian EU officials
The IH’s primary targets were Hungarian EU staff in Brussels rather than foreign nationals. The agency used various approaches: appealing to patriotic duty, promising career advancement, or offering financial backing. Hungarian nationals working at the Commission were carefully profiled using background studies, state databases, and secret reports. After recruitment, the transfer of information usually took place back in Hungary through encrypted communication channels.
Olivér Várhelyi and intelligence links
Between 2015 and 2019, the head of Hungary’s Permanent Representation in Brussels was Olivér Várhelyi, now serving as European Commissioner at the European Commission. While no direct involvement in covert operations has been proven, multiple sources claim he knew about undercover intelligence officers at the embassy and maintained regular contact with IH leadership. Some Commission insiders allege that he was aware of which Brussels-based staff were working on reports unfavourable to the Orbán government. The European Commission’s spokesperson stated that no ethical or legal complaints had been lodged against him.
Deepening distrust within the EU
The Hungarian spy affair fuelled both political and intelligence tensions within the EU. Belgium’s counter-intelligence service (VSSE) officially declined to comment, but internal sources described the case as “serious”. Gerhard Conrad, former head of the EU’s Intelligence and Situation Centre, stressed that if a diplomat offers money for information, it breaches the Vienna Convention. Officially, Belgium continues to regard Hungary as a “blue” — allied — country, but according to De Tijd, distrust has grown and Hungary is increasingly viewed as “purple”, meaning its loyalty is questioned.
Increased diplomatic presence and surveillance
Despite the scandal, the Orbán government strengthened its Brussels presence. In 2025, eight new diplomats were appointed to the Permanent Representation, including one whose costs are covered by Hungary’s counter-intelligence agency, the Constitution Protection Office. Last year also saw the opening of the Hungarian House in Brussels, officially dedicated to cultural purposes, but Belgian security services consider it a potential intelligence risk.
Sources: Direkt36, Der Spiegel, Der Standard, De Tijd
“V” was a real idiot. Hungarian intelligence lacks intelligence. Now they all got exposed and Fidesz gets bad publicity.
First of all, let’s get real here. Everybody spies on everybody. Fact. And, often, the closer and better “friends and allies” two entities are, the more pervasive the spying.
Secondly, if the E.U. wasn’t so hopelessly corrupt, unaccountable, and opaque, there’s be much less, if any, need to spy on it, especially as far as its “decision-making processes.”
Too bad you never have one single source or factual evidence about these continuous claims you make about EU being “corrupt, unaccountable, and opaque”. I guess we all just have to take your word for it… as usual…
You’ve apparently never heard about Qatargate, which also involves Morocco!Just look it up! It’s very interesting reading. I am Belgian myself and, as usual, this corruption scandal was described with great fanfare in the press? The scandal expanded and, as usual, Belgian socialists also appeared bigwigs involved and how could it be otherwise large sums of money were found! To make matters even more exciting, the investigating judge had to resign because his son was doing business with the son of Arena, a socialist whose name already appeared in other shady cases! The new investigating judge suddenly got a new job within the Belgian Ministry of Justice? Very strange, don’t you think?We don’t hear anything about Qatargate anymore because there are big fat European fish involved!I’ll just Google it, Qatargate! It would be a good scenario for a 007 movie! Now Belgian state security comes up with this Hungarian espionage story! Brussels and more determine the EP is the Valhalla for lucrative business! You don’t have to be very smart to understand that this Hungarian story is driven by the top of the European Commission! Hungary is a thorn in their side because they don’t conform and not a fan of the European war rhetoric! In addition, there will be elections in Hungary next year! The prayer The beggar from Kiev also has a bone to pick with Budapest because they refuse to fill his open hand with dollars? It’s all very intertwined but any rational thinking person immediately sees that it is so transparent! The moral of the story is that for Brussels, Mr. Orban will be there at all costs must be replaced by a puppet that will be exchanged for the one withheld Hungarian funds the left globalist agenda of slavishly carried out by the unelected Brussels bureaucrats! To be continued…..
I haven’t head. I googled. It really is a nasty case of corruption by a few EU officials and lobbyists plus their family members trying to improve the image of Qatar, Morocco and Mauritania towards EU decision makers. Luckily they were caught and arrested. From what I read, they were very amateurish, hardly a 007 movie worth.
Thanks for bringing this case up. It does not however prove that the whole EU is “corrupt, unaccountable, and opaque”. Some individuals tried to use their position wrongly to collect corruption money and they were caught and then they were made accountable for their actions. EU has put anti-corruption measures and obviously these measures work, as we can see in this case.
Here in Hungary on the other hand, corruption is right in front of us, but officials do nothing. They cant, because all data it strictly held as a secret by the government. Just like in the recent massive Danube bridge project near Mohács.
Unfortunately, considering us “purple” (on a good day) is probably very prudent. Regardless of the “everybody does it”. Especially since our Politicians are so chummy with Mr. Putin and co.
As @michaelsteiner will confirm – good intelligence is currency, and I am sure our Mr. Szijjártó would be happy to trade. For the Greatness of Hungary, of course!
Should be noted: Whatever Orban’s spies collected went to Putin! Orban is the Trojan horse
of Putin, it is a long known fact. Hu should have been kicked out of the EU years ago.
The individual again, writing under the Pseudonym of Michael Steiner, all that write commentary’s to DNH, over the course of YEARS, being of the Fidesz Party – of Full Membership, in adoration of their Demigod – Victor Mihaly. Orban, this current individual, the personification of “Clutching at Straws”. Michael Steiner contributes totally remiss of having any factual defence of the “heinous” of “toxic in culture” – Victor Mihaly. Orban led Fidesz Government of Hungary, the DESTROYERS of Hungary, over the course of (16) sixteen years, as the Government of Hungary.
Victor Mihaly. Orban, his Fidesz Government are KNOWN amongst other names of there “modus operandi” as the BLAMERS, that never, never, never is accompanied with Facts and Truth just absolute FABRICATION of Truth.
The “veiling of truth” use of excessive PROPAGANDA under a leader the current Prime Minister of Hungary – Victor Mihaly. Orban who FEARS Truth.
Spring of 2026 is fast approaching the date of what will result in being the HUMILIATING downfall – the outing of Victor Mihaly. Orban his Fidesz Government from being the Government of Hungary.
At least he writes under a pseudonym.
Granted, he seems full of s——, frankly, as a reflexive apologist point-by-point to whatever the Government position is, largely unsupported by any external reference, but it’s a step above tiresome ad hominem.
In my mind, I imagine the two of you sitting in the same cubicle space in a Russian troll farm collaborating on good cop/bad cop stuff with you as the archetypal flakey delusional liberal heel.
I agree with you, generally, in principles, for whatever that’s worth.
-Evan M. Johnson
“The alleged activities around Várhelyi would appear fundamentally incompatible with the principle of independence required of all Commissioners. Those principles are enshrined in the Treaty on European Union (TEU), together with the principle of LOYALTY TO THE UNION, which requires Commissioners to act solely in the general interest of the 27-member bloc and to refrain from any action incompatible with their duties. “—– Loyalty to the union? Fidesz? Oliver Varhelyi is likely finished as a commissioner after the EU completes its’ investigation. This is yet another reason to kick Hungary out of the EU. Hungary under the present government has absolutely no loyalty to the union and is actually an enemy.
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/10/10/brussels-mounts-pressure-on-hungarian-eu-commissioner-oliver-varhelyi-over-spy-probe