Hungarian prosecutors have requested the pre-trial detention of Áron Orbán, the younger brother of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, following a series of police raids linked to an alleged people-smuggling operation. Four suspects are accused of helping more than 100 Vietnamese nationals enter Hungary and travel onwards to Western Europe.

Hungarian authorities have stepped up their investigation into Áron Orbán and his business associates, with prosecutors formally requesting the pre-trial detention of all four suspects on Tuesday, 10 November.

According to 24.hu, the Budapest Chief Prosecutor’s Office has asked a court to order their detention, citing concerns that the suspects could obstruct the investigation or interfere with evidence if released.

The development follows coordinated police operations on Monday in Budapest, Fót and Dunakeszi, two towns in Pest County near the Hungarian capital.

The case, which was also reported by Turkish news agency Anadolu, involves allegations of organised people smuggling and influence peddling connected to the former prime minister’s younger brother.

Áron Orbán and three others suspected of people smuggling

Hungary’s National Bureau of Investigation (NNI) has questioned four suspects, including Áron Orbán, over allegations of facilitating illegal migration for financial gain as part of a criminal conspiracy.

According to investigators, the group allegedly helped Vietnamese nationals obtain Hungarian visas during several months in 2024.

The individuals officially applied to enter Hungary to participate in short training programmes. However, investigators suspect that many never attended the courses, while others remained beyond the validity of their visas.

Authorities believe their actual destination was Western Europe, where they hoped to find better employment opportunities and living conditions.

The suspects allegedly arranged visa-related procedures through Hungarian diplomatic missions in Vietnam and charged recruitment fees for their services.

Investigators estimate that more than 100 Vietnamese nationals may have been assisted through the alleged scheme.

The four suspects have been questioned and taken into custody. Prosecutors have requested their pre-trial detention, but the final decision rests with a court.

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Counter-terrorism officers involved in police raids

The investigation led to coordinated searches at four locations on Monday, 9 November.

Officers from the NNI and the National Office for Asset Recovery and Protection (NVVH) searched properties in Budapest, Fót and Dunakeszi.

Hungary’s Counter Terrorism Centre (TEK) also participated in the operations. According to police, specialist officers were deployed at two locations because investigators anticipated the possible presence of firearms.

Documents, electronic records and other potential evidence were seized during searches lasting several hours.

Anadolu reported that counter-terrorism officers had searched a property in Fótliget linked to a company associated with Áron Orbán.

Anna Unger, head of the NVVH, initially declined to confirm or deny the details of the operation but acknowledged that her office had carried out further investigative measures in a case involving Orbán.

Alongside the people-smuggling allegations, investigators are examining possible influence peddling.

One suspect is accused of seeking an unlawful benefit from the head of a labour recruitment company by referring to political connections.

Investigation began after leaked recording in 2025

The allegations surrounding Áron Orbán first attracted significant attention in May 2025, when Hungarian investigative news outlet Telex published details about his business associates and their visa-related activities.

The reporting followed the emergence of an audio recording in which Orbán reportedly discussed visa applications with Dávid Héjj, an official associated with the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Office during Viktor Orbán’s administration.

The conversation reportedly suggested that some visa applications connected to the business network had been blocked by the authorities.

The investigation subsequently expanded into allegations involving the organisation of travel for Vietnamese nationals and possible misuse of political influence.

What happens next in the Áron Orbán case?

According to 24.hu, prosecutors consider pre-trial detention necessary to ensure that the four suspects remain available during criminal proceedings and do not interfere with the collection of evidence.

A court is expected to consider the detention requests on Wednesday, 11 November.

Áron Orbán’s lawyer has disputed the justification for taking his client into custody.

The case has attracted national attention because of the suspect’s family connection to Viktor Orbán, who led Hungary for 16 consecutive years before losing power following the April 2026 parliamentary election.

However, the allegations remain under investigation, and no criminal conviction has been established.

The next significant development will be the court’s decision on pre-trial detention, as investigators continue examining the alleged visa scheme, the movement of Vietnamese nationals and the possible involvement of political connections.

As we wrote earlier, Viktor Orbán’s right-hand man summoned to Parliament’s executive abuse investigation