Investigator goes public over alleged operation targeting Tisza Party – house search follows, video

A police investigator has come forward publicly about an alleged operation targeting Hungary’s Tisza Party, offering a rare inside account of a controversial case. Shortly after speaking out, authorities conducted a search at his home and workplace, and an investigation was launched against him.

The investigator, Bence Szabó, is a senior officer in the cybercrime division of Hungary’s National Bureau of Investigation (NNI). In a video interview recorded in late February and published by investigative outlet Direkt36, he described how the case unfolded from within the police.

Alleged intelligence-linked operation targeting Hungary’s Tisza Party

According to Szabó, the case began with what appeared to be an attempt to infiltrate the Tisza Party’s IT systems. For those who are not familiar with the background, we have previously reported on the case in detail. The Direkt36 investigation described an infiltration attempt resembling intelligence-style operations targeting the Tisza Party.

During this attempt an individual using the alias “Henry” allegedly approached IT specialists linked to the party, attempting to persuade them to create backdoor access to internal systems.

The attempt ultimately failed, as the targeted individuals pretended to cooperate while trying to uncover who was behind the approach.

Not long afterwards, police including Bence Szabó received a detailed anonymous report alleging child exploitation offences involving the same individuals. The report prompted a rapid response, officers carried out searches and seized multiple data storage devices.

However, the original allegations were not substantiated. Instead, investigators reportedly found large amounts of communication data suggesting the existence of a separate operation aimed at accessing – and potentially disrupting – the party’s IT infrastructure.

In the interview, Szabó said the investigation showed signs of unusual external pressure from the outset. While he acknowledged there was no direct proof, he indicated that investigators suspected involvement by intelligence services.

“In an ideal system, I wouldn’t be sitting here. I would probably be in my office or out in the field, working to help as many children as possible. But in the summer of 2025, a case came to our unit that made it necessary for me to speak out,” Szabó said at the beginning of the interview.

He also claimed that the direction of the investigation was influenced by factors beyond professional considerations, stating that it appeared to have been conducted “along party-political lines”.

Szabó said he eventually decided to go public because he felt the case was not being properly pursued, despite multiple agencies being aware of it.

“Where can I turn? This case has already been with the Constitution Protection Office, with the National Security Service, and with us at the NNI. Yet none of them are doing anything to find out who ‘Henry’ is,” he said.
“There is nothing I can do with this information, either within the organisation or outside it, without it causing problems for me. So in the end, the only option left was to go public.”

Vogel Evelin’s name resurfaces

Szabó also referred to claims previously reported by Direkt36, suggesting that Evelin Vogel – the former partner of Tisza Party leader Péter Magyar – may have been linked to individuals working against the party.

According to Szabó, information circulating within the NNI indicated that Vogel had allegedly been reporting to contacts in a Budapest apartment and may have received substantial monthly payments. Vogel denied the claims in a statement to Direkt36, saying that “none of it is true”.

Magyar also commented on the case in a recent Facebook post, citing internal police documents. He claimed the material pointed to connections between Vogel and figures linked to Hungary’s governing party, and argued that the case may involve a coordinated political campaign. He further alleged that authorities had failed to take meaningful investigative steps despite being aware of the potential implications.

House search follows publication of Direkt36 report

Following the Direkt36 report, authorities conducted searches at Szabó’s workplace and home, seizing several data storage devices. The search reportedly concluded in the early hours of the morning.

He was later questioned by the Central Investigating Prosecutor’s Office on suspicion of misconduct in office. According to his lawyer, Szabó declined to make a statement.

The timing of the search – shortly after the report was published – has raised further questions about the handling of the case, which remains unresolved in several key aspects.

The developments come against the backdrop of other recent incidents involving the Tisza Party, including a case in which the party’s vice president was reportedly targeted in a knife attack.

Check out the full interview:

Cover image: Youtube / Direkt36