János Hajdu, once the personal bodyguard of former prime minister Viktor Orbán and later head of Hungary’s Counter Terrorism Centre (TEK), is said by witnesses to have remained in constant contact with Orbán during the operation against a Ukrainian “gold convoy”. Hajdu stands accused of unlawfully detaining seven Ukrainian cash couriers for nine hours. However, testimony suggests the decision was taken at higher levels. As of yesterday, Hajdu has been appointed security director of the ruling Fidesz party.
Scandal intensifies
Senior figures are facing the prospect of lengthy prison sentences in the “gold convoy” affair. Investigators are examining Hajdu’s mobile phone, while leaked information suggests Viktor Orbán’s role may also come under scrutiny.
According to Botond Fülöp — known as the “Rural Prosecutor”, whose earlier revelations triggered the pardon scandal that led to the downfall of President Katalin Novák — the former TEK chief could face several years behind bars. A key question is whether Hajdu will seek to shield his former superior during the proceedings.
The Budapest Public Prosecutor’s Office has questioned Hajdu as a suspect on seven counts of unlawful detention carried out with coercion. He has lodged a complaint against the charges and is currently at liberty. Prosecutors allege that the Ukrainian couriers were held for nine hours, handcuffed and blindfolded.
Severe legal consequences
The potential legal consequences are considerable. Fülöp argues that, under rules governing cumulative sentencing, the penalty could range from two to twelve years’ imprisonment, with a midpoint of seven years. In his view, a suspended sentence is highly unlikely, given the gravity of the alleged offences and the involvement of a senior law enforcement official. A court, he maintains, would be expected to impose a sentence close to the midpoint.
Phone records under scrutiny
Prosecutors are analysing the contents of Hajdu’s phone amid witness claims that he spoke repeatedly with Orbán during the detention, Telex wrote.
Investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi has previously reported that Hajdu issued direct instructions on the ground while remaining in continuous contact with figures at the highest political level. The significance of the case is heightened by the fact that Orbán himself visited TEK headquarters on Zách Street on the morning of the operation, attending a meeting of the Anti-Terrorism Coordination Committee. The Ukrainian couriers were later questioned in the same building.
An internal prosecutorial document dated 9 June states that the investigation must clarify the criminal liability of Viktor Orbán, Örs Farkas, János Hajdu and Tamás Demeter, identifying them as those who took the “substantive decisions” and issued instructions. Telex has also reported that Orbán personally authorised both the raid and its timing.
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Did Orbán give the order?
A central question for investigators is whether instructions regarding the manner of the unlawful detention also came from political leadership, 444.hu wrote. Should evidence emerge to that effect, it could significantly reshape the allocation of responsibility.
Fülöp suggests that Orbán could assume responsibility from Hajdu only by voluntarily testifying and stating that the former TEK chief acted on his direct orders. Absent such a declaration, Hajdu is likely to remain the principal criminally liable figure in the case.
Meanwhile, Orbán announced on Tuesday that Hajdu would be appointed security director of Fidesz, writing on Facebook: “Welcome back on board, General.”
“His crime is that he protected the Hungarians“, Orbán wrote about Hajdu on Facebook:
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Featured image: Facebook/Orbán Viktor
