A German member of the European Parliament, Daniel Freund, has accused Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban of attempting to install spyware on his devices. The incident, which Freund claims occurred in 2024, has sparked significant concern within the EU over potential espionage by state actors against its institutions.
Freund, representing Germany’s Green Party, has filed a police complaint and is seeking an investigation into the matter. The complaint was submitted to the prosecutor’s office in Krefeld, as well as cybercrime centers in Cologne and Dusseldorf. According to the EU Parliament’s IT experts, the Hungarian government could be behind the eavesdropping on Freund. The alleged attack, which involved an email containing spyware sent by someone posing as a Ukrainian student, has raised critical questions about the security of EU officials and the integrity of democratic processes.
Freund, a frequent critic of Hungary’s conservative government, has accused Orban of eroding democracy, cracking down on domestic opposition, and engaging in corruption. Orban, in response, has accused the ‘bureaucrats in Brussels’ of warmongering and attempting to undermine Hungary’s sovereignty. Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs has often sparred with Freund on social media, calling him a ‘clown’ and a ‘madman.’ This exchange reflects the broader tensions between Hungary and the EU, with Orban’s government frequently defending its policies against accusations of authoritarianism.
The allegations against Orban are part of a larger pattern of accusations and counter-accusations in the EU’s political landscape. As the investigation proceeds, the implications for international relations and cybersecurity standards within the European Union may become more apparent. The incident has also drawn attention to the importance of protecting digital infrastructure and ensuring the security of political figures from state-sponsored cyber activities.