Hungarian refugee in Russia, Béla Kovács, accuses Western media of misleading public

Béla Kovács, the former European Parliament representative of the Hungarian Jobbik party, who was sentenced to five years in prison in Hungary for espionage in 2022, has resurfaced publicly in Russia. Known infamously by the moniker “KGBéla,” Kovács fled Hungary after being convicted of passing sensitive information to Russian intelligence between 2012 and 2014, allegedly to undermine European Union institutions and favour Russian interests.

Recently, Béla Kovács made an appearance at a Moscow forum titled “I Want to Live in Russia,” which was organised by the pro-Russian media outlet Ukraina.ru, Meduza reports. Among the speakers was Maria Butina, a member of the Russian parliament, who spoke about “ideological immigration” to Russia, framing it as part of a long-standing tradition dating back to German settlers fleeing religious wars to the Russian Empire.

During his speech, Béla Kovács asked Russians not to take offence at the often negative perceptions of their country among Hungarians.

According to him, these views were largely shaped by the Western media, which, he claimed, misleads many people in Hungary about Russia’s true nature, 24.hu writes.

Fleeing justice, speaking at Russian forums

Kovács’ appearance in Russia comes as no surprise, given that last year, a second arrest warrant was issued for him in Hungary, but he has so far evaded capture. The former Jobbik politician had already been found guilty of espionage and fraudulent misappropriation of EU funds, resulting in a suspended two-year prison sentence. His sentence was further intensified by Hungary’s Supreme Court, which handed him a five-year prison term along with a ten-year ban from public office. Instead of facing his sentence, Béla Kovács escaped to Russia, where he now resides.

The forum at which Kovács spoke is closely tied to a recent decree by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who simplified immigration procedures for foreigners wishing to move to Russia as a refuge from so-called “neoliberal ideologies” in their home countries. According to reports, the program, which officially launched on 1 September 2024, has already attracted interest, though exact figures on the number of participants remain undisclosed.

Hungary’s first political refugee in Russia?

Béla Kovács is perhaps the most prominent Hungarian political figure to seek refuge in Russia in modern times. His legal troubles began years ago, with investigations dating back to his time as a Member of the European Parliament. The Hungarian courts, after initially acquitting him of espionage charges, later overturned the verdict on appeal. The Court of Appeal in Budapest found him guilty of preparing to spy on EU institutions on behalf of Russia. His crimes did not end there, as he was also convicted of budgetary fraud and forgery of private documents.

Despite Hungary’s efforts to apprehend him, including issuing an international warrant, Kovács managed to flee, and his current status in Russia highlights a growing trend among individuals seeking asylum from countries they claim are under Western influence. At the Moscow event, Béla Kovács spoke openly about his decision to relocate, aligning himself with other speakers who praised Russia as a haven from the “oppressive” ideologies of the West.

The forum’s broader significance

The forum in Moscow touched upon a broader geopolitical narrative, with several speakers emphasising Russia’s role as a sanctuary for those disillusioned with Western liberal democracies. Kovács’ presence at the event, alongside other international figures seeking to paint Russia in a favourable light, is a sign of the country’s ongoing efforts to position itself as a counterbalance to Western influence.

While Kovács’ future in Russia remains uncertain, one thing is clear: his involvement in espionage and subsequent flight to Russia marks a rare case of a Hungarian politician becoming a high-profile refugee in Moscow. Whether his situation is a one-off or a sign of deeper trends remains to be seen, but for now, Béla Kovács seems to have found a new home far from Hungarian justice.

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